worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

worthless currency

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: contemptible, despicable

a worthless criminal

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun

Synonyms of worthless

• empty
• valueless
• cheap
• flawed
• no-good
• vain

Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you.

She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.

Recent Examples on the Web

But there is an enormous difference between asking your allies to shoulder more responsibility and telling them that your promise to defend them might be worthless. — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Mild unease gave way to statements about being worthless, unloved, and a failure. — Shae Lake, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

The bill nods at the issue, but there are no dollars on the table for those whose investments are about to become worthless. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

To cover growing deficits, the government printed money, leading to hyperinflation that reached over 130,000% in 2018, effectively rendering the national currency worthless. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs 

1

a

: lacking worth : valueless

b

: useless

worthless to continue searching

2

: deserving of hatred or pity

a worthless coward

worthlessly adverb

worthlessness noun