Synonyms for futilely


Grammar : Adv
Spell : fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl
Phonetic Transcription : ˈfyut l, ˈfyu taɪl


Définition of futilely

Origin :
  • 1550s, from Middle French futile, from Latin futilis "vain, worthless, futile," literally "pouring out easily" (of a vessel), hence "easily emptied, leaky, unreliable," from base of fundere "pour, melt," from PIE root *gheu- "to pour" (see found (v.2)). Related: Futilely.
  • As in vainly : adv in vain
Example sentences :
  • He had waited too often and futilely in the past for porcupines to unroll, to waste any more time.
  • Extract from : « White Fang » by Jack London
  • Futilely he beat and thrust with his arms against the pillarlike limb.
  • Extract from : « Salvage in Space » by John Stewart Williamson
  • He caught a glimpse of Carmena futilely clutching for Slade's throat.
  • Extract from : « Bloom of Cactus » by Robert Ames Bennet
  • Her shoulders heaved as—futilely—she strove to wrench her arms free.
  • Extract from : « From Place to Place » by Irvin S. Cobb
  • Maida's voice, futilely attempting to broadcast over the uproar.
  • Extract from : « Tarrano the Conqueror » by Raymond King Cummings
  • She ran to the door and beat her fists against the steel, futilely and furiously.
  • Extract from : « When Egypt Went Broke » by Holman Day
  • He mumbled, futilely, "Well, if that's the way you feel about it!"
  • Extract from : « We Can't Have Everything » by Rupert Hughes
  • Now, as then, she was striving to drag him into safety, but futilely.
  • Extract from : « A Veldt Official » by Bertram Mitford
  • And he was tired of futilely trying to escape something from which there was no escape.
  • Extract from : « Cold Ghost » by Chester S. Geier
  • Bernheim had treated him futilely for months and was curious to know how he had been cured.
  • Extract from : « Health Through Will Power » by James J. Walsh

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019