In English vocabulary, choose the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word FUTILE.

Introduction / Context:
Antonym questions check whether learners know not only what a word means but also which other word expresses the opposite idea. The word in this question is FUTILE, a common academic and examination term. It is important in many reading passages, especially when describing actions, efforts, or attempts. To answer, we must recall what futile means and then find the option that best expresses the reverse meaning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: FUTILE.
• Options: DISTINCT, OPEN, PLEASED, FRUITFUL.
• We must choose the antonym, that is, a word that means the opposite of futile in most contexts.
• Standard formal English use is assumed.

Concept / Approach:
The adjective futile describes something that is useless, ineffective, or incapable of producing any desired result. For example, a futile attempt or a futile effort is one that fails and achieves nothing. The opposite idea is that of something productive, effective, or successful in achieving its goals. Among the options, FRUITFUL directly suggests producing good results, benefits, or outcomes. Therefore, FRUITFUL is the best antonym of FUTILE in this set.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that futile means pointless, useless, or not leading to any success. Step 2: Look at option FRUITFUL and remember that it means productive, successful, or giving good results. Step 3: Recognise that this meaning is the direct opposite of an action that achieves nothing. Step 4: Examine DISTINCT, which means clearly different or easy to recognise, not related to success or failure of efforts. Step 5: Examine OPEN, which can refer to something not closed or available, again unrelated to productivity. Step 6: Examine PLEASED, which describes a person emotional state of satisfaction, not the effectiveness of an action itself.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can test our understanding with example sentences. Consider The negotiations were futile, which implies that the negotiations did not produce any agreement. The opposite would be The negotiations were fruitful, meaning they produced good results or a successful agreement. Replacing futile with distinct, open, or pleased would not give a meaningful opposite. Distinct negotiations or open negotiations describe different aspects but do not oppose uselessness directly. Pleased negotiations does not even make sense. FRUITFUL naturally contrasts with FUTILE in both everyday use and academic writing, confirming it as the correct antonym.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
DISTINCT: This word means clearly separate or different from something else. It has nothing to do with whether an effort is successful or useless.
OPEN: This word can describe a door, a discussion, or a situation that is not closed or restricted. It is not the opposite of futile.
PLEASED: This describes how a person feels, not whether an action achieves results. One can feel pleased or displeased, but that is about emotion, not effectiveness.
FRUITFUL: This clearly means productive, giving good results or benefits, which is the opposite of useless or ineffective.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may be attracted to words that simply sound positive, such as pleased, instead of focusing on the precise meaning relationship. Others may forget that antonym questions are about opposites in sense, not just different words. To avoid such mistakes, it helps to form a quick mental sentence using the target word and then try substituting each option to see which one would reverse the meaning in a natural way. Doing this reinforces deeper understanding rather than superficial matching.

Final Answer:
The word that is opposite in meaning to FUTILE is FRUITFUL.