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

Paramount, which has made a rival, hostile bid for all of WBD, including the cable networks, has maintained that Discovery Global is essentially worthless given the downward trajectory of pay-TV. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026

Hawks like Secretary of State Marco Rubio argue the regime’s lack of credibility makes any deal worthless. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 20 Jan. 2026

Without a reserved slot at TSMC, those designs are worthless. —Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Paramount Skydance alleges that shares of Discovery Global would be worthless, based on an analysis comparing it with Comcast’s recent Versant spin-off. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Jan. 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