serve

1
as in to attend
to be a servant for he served his master faithfully for 20 years

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

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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

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

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

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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

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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 Alex Thomas has served as the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since November 2022. Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2025 For instance, Seth Campbell continues his father’s legacy by serving on the board of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, a nonprofit that aids shoe industry workers with education and emergency funds. Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025 Ernst, who served during the Iraq War with the Iowa Army National Guard, has put her support behind a full repeal of Caesar sanctions. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Nov. 2025 In addition to the six officers, 11 members were elected to serve on the board. Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for serve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve
Verb
  • Representatives from various branches of the Armed Forces and city dignitaries are slated to attend.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • And yes, all of the women — including Bronwyn, who’s arriving late but will still be attending despite all of the rumors and headlines about her old legal woes.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • An unexpected moment in November reminds you that chemistry won’t suffice in a connection that feels one-sided or unclear.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In schools and offices throughout France, the day doesn’t begin until every person has been greeted individually; a head nod won’t suffice.
    Kristy Alpert, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The firm is also a member of this year’s Change the World list, which highlights companies that are doing social good through their business models.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Otherwise, Craig Breslow will have a lot of explaining to do.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Mock was treated at a hospital for injuries before being booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Cancer immunotherapy is used to treat many common cancers, including breast, colon and bladder, and doctors want to know if the COVID shot might also help extend survival for those patients.
    Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Tax rises would likely act as another damper on inflation by reducing consumer demand.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • What was concerning, Creech said, was how his son was acting while sick.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Dart could certainly benefit from someone like McCarthy, who has coached the likes of Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott since becoming a head coach.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Understanding automation and working to create the conditions where workers can benefit from technical advances is an important task for the twenty-first century.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • McCarty was the only trainee in his class who also had to figure out how to adapt the demanding routine in a way that fit his disability.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
  • In a back lot at Dodge Memorial County Park, a deputy spotted a car fitting that description.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Equipped to handle every kind of wintry mix the forecast may bring, this is a durable option that will remain intact all season long.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In an April 2, 2021, amicus brief, Raffensperger, represented by the state attorney general, argued ballots must remain sealed under Georgia’s Elections Code and warned that allowing the public to handle physical ballots could constitute a felony under state law.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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