serve

verb

ˈsərv How to pronounce serve (audio)
Definition of servenext
1
as in to attend
to be a servant for he served his master faithfully for 20 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to suffice
to be enough they made the pasta serve for eight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to do
to be fitting or proper those old riding boots will serve for now, but you'll need newer ones for the horse show

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way my parents served me well in preparing me for life

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to act
to have a certain purpose the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to benefit
to provide with something useful or desirable an excellent college that served her with the skills necessary to make it in today's job market

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of serve Recovered silica contributes to cement manufacture, while fibers and blade sections serve as reinforcement in concrete. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026 Kisbye most recently served as Senior Manager of Creative Development in MGM’s TV Scripted group. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 The series will be written by Sonja Tarokić and Valentina Batalić, with Maja Fišter serving as the commissioning editor for HRT. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Current Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara cannot seek another term after serving two terms. — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve
  1. attend
  2. suffice
  3. do
  4. treat
  5. act
  6. benefit
  7. fit
  8. handle
Verb
  • Based out of Chile and Los Angeles, the company has already invested up to $250,000 in development ahead of Mipcom, which Quijote head of strategy Sergio Karmy is attending.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Steve Sarkisian will not budge on this issue One of the primary reasons Manning chose to attend Texas was Sarkisian.
    — Mac Engel October 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of attend
Verb
  • Will movie nights and electric go-kart tracks suffice to keep CWG’s buildings full if, as some predict, AI renders large numbers of office jobs redundant?
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • An unlined park next to the school, which also includes a splash pad and a playground, has to suffice.
    — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of suffice
Verb
  • The makeup is top-tier, the Aaliyah swoop bang is swooping, and the jewelry accents stand out without doing too much, which is usually her weak spot.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • When the boy’s body turns up by a river, the wives’ sisterhood is split between doing what feels right and following their husband’s wishes and Islamic tradition.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of do
Verb
  • England, which aims to eliminate the virus by 2030, has already met its goal of treating 80% of its hepatitis C infections.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Measure your numbers, work with a clinician and stop treating hormone health as something to hide.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of treat
Verb
  • Fitoussi said the project began almost as a joke, with the idea of casting one of France’s busiest actors as someone who never gets to act.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Please have a plan in place should flash flooding develop and do not hesitate to act.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of act
Verb
  • The Salty, an artisanal doughnut chain, is running a weeklong campaign benefiting the Breasties, a nonprofit that helps many groups of people affected by breast cancer.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, making the effort to maintain friendships can benefit you too, says Ayers, who researches the science of friendship and how to maintain connections.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of benefit
Verb
  • Its obvious artificiality and absurdity fit neatly into an online meme culture that often revels in the uncanny.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Audi has also fitted the Q9 with all of its latest technology and driver assist features.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of fit
Verb
  • Spin is the result of eight years of research and development started in 2016 and handled by a team of about 10 tech, fashion and entertainment professionals in addition to Albrighi and Kuo, who serve as co-chief executive officers of the company.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In that case, however Taylor & Byrne chooses to handle her will be an advantage to Cathcarts.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of handle

Browse Nearby Words

servants
serve
served
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Cite this Entry

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about serve

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