Collocations for futile - adj.

be, prove, seem
consider sth, describe sth as
The president described these activities as futile.

completely, entirely (esp. BrE), quite, totally, utterly
an utterly futile struggle for justice

largely, rather
increasingly
apparently, seemingly (esp. AmE)
ultimately
Their attempts were impressive but ultimately futile.

Futile is used with these nouns:
attempt, effort, endeavour, exercise, gesture, search