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

• chaffy
• empty
• junky
• no-good
• null
• vain
• valueless

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

Even as Amtrak officials were sitting with Hochul yesterday and offering her more worthless promises, the Amtrak Board of Directors was holding a rare public session. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025

At the same time, a blanket rule against nationwide injunctions would render many court orders worthless. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 9 May 2025

However, according to the businesses, The Knot defrauded them by providing leads that were either largely worthless or completely fake. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

That history is, in a word, rendered worthless by the CEO. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025

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