futile struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "futile struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort or attempt that is pointless or unlikely to succeed. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team's attempts to change the company's direction felt like a futile struggle against entrenched interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But art draws its wistful power from this heroically futile struggle against disappearance, and what it leaves behind are the visual traces of its defiance.

The Guardian - Arts

Indeed, a year after the supreme court ruled on the legality of the law, congressional Republicans are continuing their futile struggle to scrap it.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the end of 1847, el-Kader decided that God did not want any more blood spilled in what had come to be a futile struggle.

The New York Times

At Friday's ceremony victims' family members, including some who were barely born at the time, recalled decades of futile struggle to learn the truth.

The Guardian

Take away the exotic setting and circumstance and you have a relentlessly believable story of a child's futile struggle to, well, "be loved".

The New York Times

Another forerunner is Fellini's "8 ½," whose theme of creative blockage is glibly recycled in Charles's futile struggle to come up with a cover concept for an album by his best friend, Kirby Star Jason Schwartzmann), a bushy-haired comedic rocker.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In many ways Mr. Bourdieu's is a dark vision featuring perpetual class conflict, largely futile struggles for power and prestige and a society divided between the dominators and the dominated.

The New York Times - Arts

The so-called Al Aksa intifada halted the process and thrust the Middle East into reverse: violence, hate, a lynching atmosphere, futile struggles in the United Nations, unemployment and distress, incitement, renewed alienation of Israel from Arab countries and a feeling of going back to square one.

The New York Times

She finally ended her futile struggles at managing her type 1 diabetes, and found the energy and vibrant health she works to bring to others.

Huffington Post

If he or she writes about oppressed characters mired in futile struggles, don't make your story about a golden hero who clears every hurdle with brilliant ease.

WikiHow

As Mr. Geltman's life was praised in word and song, he was there to listen, still very much alive despite an ongoing -- and increasingly futile -- struggle with cancer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "futile struggle", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the effort is unproductive or destined to fail. Provide supporting details to strengthen the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "futile struggle" as a dramatic flourish without providing concrete reasons for the lack of success. Ensure that the futility is evident from the circumstances and not just an unsupported assertion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "futile struggle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it describing an action or situation doomed to fail. It characterizes a specific type of effort or conflict.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "futile struggle" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe an effort that is pointless or unlikely to succeed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suitability across various writing styles. While "futile struggle" appears most frequently in News & Media, it is a versatile phrase that can be effectively used in diverse contexts. When employing this expression, it's important to ensure the context clearly justifies the sense of futility. Related phrases such as "fruitless endeavor" and "vain attempt" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fruitless endeavor

This alternative focuses on the lack of positive outcomes or results from the effort.

vain attempt

Highlights the pride or ego involved, suggesting the effort was ultimately unsuccessful.

abortive effort

Suggests an attempt that was cut short or failed to reach completion.

ineffectual battle

Emphasizes the lack of impact or influence of the conflict.

pointless fight

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in the conflict.

hopeless endeavor

Focuses on the lack of any realistic chance of success.

unavailing effort

Emphasizes that the effort did not provide any advantage or benefit.

doomed undertaking

Suggests a preordained failure, irrespective of the effort applied.

unproductive conflict

Highlights the waste of resources and the absence of positive results in the struggle.

worthless crusade

Implies that the cause being fought for lacks merit or value.

FAQs

What does "futile struggle" mean?

A "futile struggle" refers to an effort or conflict that is pointless because it has no chance of succeeding or producing any positive outcome.

What are some synonyms for "futile struggle"?

You can use alternatives like "fruitless endeavor", "vain attempt", or "pointless fight" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use "futile struggle" in a sentence?

Example: "Their attempts to revive the failing business became a "futile struggle" against overwhelming debt."

Is "futile struggle" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "futile struggle" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is frequently found in news and media.