Futile

Adjective

Definition: Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.

Synonyms: Fruitless, Vain, Ineffective, Useless

Antonyms: Successful, Effective, Productive, Successful

Examples:

His attempts to convince them were futile as they refused to listen.
She felt that pursuing her dreams was futile because of the lack of support.

Mnemonics:

"Futile" starts with "f" which can stand for "fruitless" or "failed."
Think of a "futile" effort as trying to dig a hole in the sand with your bare hands, where the sand keeps falling back into the hole.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "futile" originated from the Latin word "futilis," meaning "leaky, worthless, or meaningless."

Historical Usage:

The term has been used in English since the late 16th century, retaining its original meaning throughout history.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Exercise in futility"

Explanation:

Refers to an activity or effort that is pointless or unlikely to succeed. For example, trying to convince a stubborn person can be considered an exercise in futility.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "futile" with "fertile."

Explanation:

"Futile" and "fertile" are two distinct words with opposite meanings. While "futile" means pointless or ineffective, "fertile" refers to something productive or capable of producing abundant results.