1
as in to utilize
to put into action or service
I will need to use the large hammer for this project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way
the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to exploit
to take unfair advantage of
I was paying for everything on our little outing, and I was starting to feel like I was being used
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in application
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the use of boom boxes is strictly prohibited in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in usefulness
the capacity for being useful for some purpose
the broken grill isn't going to be of much use in cooking the hamburgers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in liking
positive regard for something
I have no use for slackers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of use
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
Most formulas use a twist or tap brush applicator that channels powder into the bristles for mess-free touch-ups over makeup throughout the day.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson
july 1,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Using chemical-laden sprays and repellents isn't always a desirable way to deal with these insect pests, and the use of chemical pesticides can cause harm to wildlife and kill beneficial pollinators.
—
The Spruce,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for use
Verb
He was traded to Boston in 2014, and in 2016, after being used primarily as a starter for much of his career, he was moved to the bullpen.
—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
Most formulas use a twist or tap brush applicator that channels powder into the bristles for mess-free touch-ups over makeup throughout the day.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson
july 1,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
Noun
Data center electricity use has grown in the last few years, said Jonathan Koomey, a researcher who has been studying the computing warehouses for 30 years.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Using chemical-laden sprays and repellents isn't always a desirable way to deal with these insect pests, and the use of chemical pesticides can cause harm to wildlife and kill beneficial pollinators.
—
The Spruce,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
-
He was arrested after police tracked his location by obtaining his cell phone number and utilizing data from cell towers in the area.
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Factoring the maximum of three two-way contract slots into account when they are officially filled, that pushes the Hornets up to 19, leaving just two more spots that can be utilized in the offseason and heading into training camp.
Verb
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She was treated at the scene before being taken to an area hospital.
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Federal Aviation Administration rules bar cities from treating airlines unequally, and the council's action put $90 million in federal grant funding in jeopardy, according to one council member.
Verb
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So far, there are no reports of the usbliter8 bug being exploited in the wild.
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However, Nawrocki is a nationalist politician who has exploited anti-Ukrainian sentiment for electoral gain.
Noun
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Going forward, the city will encourage data center developers to submit an application for a special use district, meaning the site would specifically be used for a data center, nothing else.
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Banks discovered that lounge access drove credit card applications.
Noun
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Even so, the way that feedback is gathered can make all the difference in terms of its honesty, usefulness and impact.
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Each piece of vintage clothing carries some mix of memory, usefulness and resale value, and telling those apart is the hard part.
Noun
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Trump has aggressively pushed for lower interest rates, repeatedly berating former Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not decreasing borrowing costs to the president’s liking.
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Add the greens and/or vegetables, in stages as necessary, and toss in the garlicky oil, then add the sauce and cook to your liking, stirring frequently.
Verb
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Wiener asked for amendments to the bill during the bill’s review and in the committee meeting, including that the lifetime ban only be applied to Tier 3 members.
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The ruling establishes the legal standard going forward and does not change the law that applied previously.
Verb
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About 55% of injuries happen to people actively handling fireworks, and nearly a quarter of the injuries are to bystanders.
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Key indicators include how teams handle uncertainty, genuinely challenge each other, learn from failures, and base decisions on current realities.
Cite this Entry
“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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