Futility

Archive answer — August 3, 2026

21 Across

Scroll down for the rest of the crossword answers

Clue explained

“POINTLESSNESS” is the published 13-letter fill for 21 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue’s Monday, August 3, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal or hide a letter.

Crossword solution grid

Select a square to hide or reveal its letter in the 13 by 13 crossword grid.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

10 clues
  1. 1Focus
  2. 8Brass, boy or big?
  3. 9Starving
  4. 10Raised deck at the front of a ship – clearest of (anag)
  5. 12Fumbled shot
  6. 14Trivial matter
  7. 15UK parliament’s emblem
  8. 19Peak pudding?
  9. 20Gallagher or Coward?
  10. 21FutilityPOINTLESSNESS

Down

12 clues
  1. 2Haydn’s The Creation, say
  2. 3Specialist team
  3. 4Tell a story
  4. 5Metal fastening
  5. 6Most nerve-racking
  6. 7Work of art
  7. 11Lacking compassion
  8. 13Cartoon punchline / label
  9. 14The ______ of Malfi, John Webster play
  10. 16Majestic
  11. 17Natural fabric prone to creasing
  12. 18Working-class, local or folk?

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 1. Focus

    Answer: CONCENTRATION

  2. 8. Brass, boy or big?

    Answer: BAND

  3. 9. Starving

    Answer: RAVENOUS

  4. 10. Raised deck at the front of a ship – clearest of (anag)

    Answer: FORECASTLE

  5. 12. Fumbled shot

    Answer: MISCUE

  6. 14. Trivial matter

    Answer: DETAIL

  7. 15. UK parliament’s emblem

    Answer: PORTCULLIS

  8. 19. Peak pudding?

    Answer: MERINGUE

  9. 20. Gallagher or Coward?

    Answer: NOEL

  10. 21. Futility

    Answer: POINTLESSNESS

Down

  1. 2. Haydn’s The Creation, say

    Answer: ORATORIO

  2. 3. Specialist team

    Answer: CADRE

  3. 4. Tell a story

    Answer: NARRATE

  4. 5. Metal fastening

    Answer: RIVET

  5. 6. Most nerve-racking

    Answer: TENSEST

  6. 7. Work of art

    Answer: OPUS

  7. 11. Lacking compassion

    Answer: PITILESS

  8. 13. Cartoon punchline / label

    Answer: CAPTION

  9. 14. The ______ of Malfi, John Webster play

    Answer: DUCHESS

  10. 16. Majestic

    Answer: REGAL

  11. 17. Natural fabric prone to creasing

    Answer: LINEN

  12. 18. Working-class, local or folk?

    Answer: HERO

The answer to “Futility” in the Guardian Quick Crossword is POINTLESSNESS — a 13-letter word. It appears in our available data for August 3, 2026 at 21-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“Futility” answer

POINTLESSNESS(13 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does POINTLESSNESS fit?

POINTLESSNESS is the published 13-letter answer at 21-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “Futility” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Futility”?

The answer is POINTLESSNESS.

How many letters are in the answer?

13 letters: POINTLESSNESS.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Quick Crossword for August 3, 2026 at 21-Across.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Guardian Quick answers page for August 3, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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