futility

Definition

The quality of being futile or useless.

Etymology

From Latin fūtilitās (“worthlessness, futility”). By surface analysis, futile + -ity.

Example Sentences

• "an exercise of futility"
• "His taking the bar exam for a third time was pure futility."
• "“Has my dad come?” he asked. “You can see he hasn’t,” said Mrs. Morel, cross with the futility of the question."