1
2
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose I've found this tool really useful for making sure all my pictures are hung straight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in helpful
providing service or assistance hopefully, the consultant's financial advice will prove useful in planning for our retirement

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 useful In addition to lifestyle changes, medication may also be useful. Angela Ryan Lee, Health, 4 Oct. 2025 Roman Anthony was arguably the team's second-half MVP, Ceddanne Rafaela is an elite defender in center field, and Wilyer Abreu provides more useful pop in the lineup from the left side while being a superior defender to Duran. Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Gifts Under $10 for Men Men are notoriously hard to shop for, but there are tons of useful gadgets and other thoughtful gifts that aren’t gag gifts, all under $10. Tabitha Britt, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2025 Other measures Beyond simple job or payroll count, spending data also can be a useful indirect gauge. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
  • But the study’s findings may not be applicable to all adults age 65 and older since the researchers focused their efforts in Canada, where patients have access to universal health care.
    Gina Park, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Tickets are $12, plus applicable taxes and fees.
    Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As a result, a flurry of drinks, vapes, edibles, and smokable buds — many with the potential to get users high — are now widely available on store shelves across Wisconsin.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • No toilet seat available and the lid to the water tank is missing.
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The police weren’t helpful at all.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The ability to set up AI chatbots that represent a company’s ethos and tone is a game-changer, providing timely, helpful responses to customer queries.
    Derya Matras, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Playful and practical John and Catherine’s grandchildren also have their own suite, though Catherine and Justice made the design choices for them.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Why not put all those periods of training camp work to practical use?
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The front boasts two functional pockets, and it’s fitted with both zippers and snaps to keep out the cold.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Your hoodie should feature functional, deep pockets that can accommodate chilly hands or your wallet and keys.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • If your microbiome is unbalanced between beneficial and harmful microbes, probiotics can help introduce healthy microbes back into your body.
    Isabel Vasquez RD LDN, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.
    Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With a PhD in applied physics from Columbia, Ranade said that in his time as a student, most of his classmates either were in finance or major tech companies like Google or Meta.
    Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • That includes providing students with applied and work-based learning experiences in high school, as well as career exposure and exploration opportunities that begin in age-appropriate ways in middle school.
    Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Under local law, even inoperable or replica weapons are considered potentially operable if they can be modified to fire, placing them under the same strict legal framework.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • According to a report by the US Energy Information Administration, Russia has a total of 36 operable nuclear reactors with a capacity of 27 gigawatts.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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