futilitarian

adj, noun — 3 senses

futilitarian

adj

UK /fjuːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəɹi.ən/ · US /fjuˌtɪləˈtɛɹi.ən/

Etymology Blend of futility + utilitarian c. 1830.

1

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:

futilitarian

noun

Etymology Blend of futility + utilitarian c. 1830.

1

A person believing that all human activity is futile.

It is in the region of the Island that most of the battles take place between organized labour and the apostles of free labour. Let there be any industrial trouble of any kind, and down upon the district swoop dozens of fussy futilitarians, to argue, exhort, bully, and agitate generally.1918 [1915], Thomas Burke, Nights in London, New York: Henry Holt and Company:

2

A person devoted to profitless pursuits.

Related terms: futilitarianism

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.