as in use
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the machine's warranty does not cover malfunctions that result from improper usage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun usage differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of usage are custom, habit, practice, and wont. While all these words mean "a way of acting fixed through repetition," usage suggests a customary action so generally followed that it has become a social norm.

western-style dress is now common usage in international business

Where would custom be a reasonable alternative to usage?

The synonyms custom and usage are sometimes interchangeable, but custom applies to a practice or usage so steadily associated with an individual or group as to have almost the force of unwritten law.

the custom of wearing black at funerals

When could habit be used to replace usage?

In some situations, the words habit and usage are roughly equivalent. However, habit implies a doing unconsciously and often compulsively.

had a habit of tapping his fingers

When might practice be a better fit than usage?

The words practice and usage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, practice suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice.

our practice is to honor all major credit cards

When is wont a more appropriate choice than usage?

While in some cases nearly identical to usage, wont usually applies to a habitual manner, method, or practice of an individual or group.

as was her wont, she slept until noon

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 usage This is due to the Smart Battery Management feature which optimizes usage. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 July 2025 The company’s fastest revenue growth comes from Azure and other cloud services that customers buy based on usage. CEO Satya Nadella has not publicly commented on the layoffs, and Microsoft didn’t immediately provide a comment about the cuts in Washington. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 3 July 2025 Customers were encouraged to limit their water usage and told services would return depending on the crest of the river. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Officials aimed to track water usage to ensure fair distribution. Stephanie Threinen, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for usage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usage
Noun
  • The American Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, along with groups such as the American Medical Association, have opposed the use of ivermectin to treat COVID except in clinical trials.
    Sarah Cutler July 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2025
  • Tires, batteries and other products with limited use life expectancy may have product-specific limited warranties.
    Hannah Hudnall, The Courier-Journal, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Residents need to submit documentation to obtain a handicap placard for their cars, starting with an application for a disabled person placard.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
  • China agreed to approve export applications for rare earths to the U.S. Rare earths had been a sticking point between the two countries.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Usage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usage. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on usage

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