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futilitarian

[ fyoo-til-i-tair-ee-uhn ]

adjective

  1. believing that human hopes are vain, and human strivings unjustified.


noun

  1. a person who holds this belief.

futilitarian

/ fjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the belief that human endeavour can serve no useful purpose
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. one who holds this belief
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • fuˌtiliˈtarianˌism, noun
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Other Words From

  • fu·tili·tari·an·ism noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of futilitarian1

1820–30; humorous blend of futile and utilitarian
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Word History and Origins

Origin of futilitarian1

C19: facetious coinage from futile + utilitarian
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Example Sentences

In economic matters, Thomas embraces what Robin calls a futilitarian argument — that white supremacy is so entrenched, it is not worthwhile fighting it through law — as he seems to do in a 2015 dissent rejecting “disparate impact,” a theory that even facially neutral state policies may discriminate based on race.

My voyeurism has contributed immensely to my becoming a futilitarian, and I hate this conditioning of my soul. . . .

And everywhere the Socialist is a dreamer and futilitarian.

Veracity would be a disqualification; if they confined themselves to facts they would not get a hearing. * * * is the nastiest futilitarian of the gang.

That he should have a gift of coining striking words naturally follows: in his later years he has fallen into his "anecdotage," a certain Socialist is the greatest "futilitarian" of them all, "femininies"—and so on infinitely.

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