Search Result for "futile": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. producing no result or effect;
- Example: "a futile effort"
- Example: "the therapy was ineffectual"
- Example: "an otiose undertaking"
- Example: "an unavailing attempt"
[syn: futile, ineffectual, otiose, unavailing]

2. unproductive of success;
- Example: "a fruitless search"
- Example: "futile years after her artistic peak"
- Example: "a sleeveless errand"
- Example: "a vain attempt"
[syn: bootless, fruitless, futile, sleeveless, vain]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Futile \Fu"tile\ (?; 277), a. [L. futilis that easily pours out,
   that easily lets loose, vain, worthless, from the root of
   fundere to pour out: cf. F. futile. See Fuse, v. t.]
   1. Talkative; loquacious; tattling. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Talkers and futile persons.           --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Of no importance; having no useful purpose; useless; vain;
      worthless; pointless. "Futile theories." --I. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

            His reasoning . . . was singularly futile.
                                                  --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

futile
    adj 1: producing no result or effect; "a futile effort"; "the
           therapy was ineffectual"; "an otiose undertaking"; "an
           unavailing attempt" [syn: futile, ineffectual,
           otiose, unavailing]
    2: unproductive of success; "a fruitless search"; "futile years
       after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain
       attempt" [syn: bootless, fruitless, futile,
       sleeveless, vain]