futilitarian en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /fjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /fjuˌtɪləˈtɛɹi.ən/ (General-American)
Etymology
Blend of futility + utilitarian c. 1830.
Meanings
-
Having the opinion that all human activity is futile.
In America the silence was more oppressive than the ignorance; but perhaps elsewhere the world might still hide some haunt of futilitarian silence where content reigned—although long search had not revealed it—and so the pilgrimage began anew!
1918, Henry Adams, The Education of Henry Adams:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most futilitarian | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more futilitarian | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |