use 1 of 2

1
2
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

use

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb use contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use. While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

Where would employ be a reasonable alternative to use?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of use?

While in some cases nearly identical to use, utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

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 use
Verb
Eventually, though, Indigenous trade networks carried the shells thousands of miles, from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Plains, and were exchanged with tribes such as the Lakota and Ojibwe, where the shells began being used as a form of adornment, and even currency. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025 Silver is a critical component in products across various industries, and is used in the production of electrical switches, solar panels, and cell phones. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
Now, researchers have identified specific regions of the human genome connected to cannabis use, which means the propensity to get addicted to weed may be encoded in DNA. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025 Seasonless styles, made from high-end materials sourced where possible from existing stocks, and the use of preorders to right-size production were also par for the course. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
  • The long central island’s polished quartz surface lights up from within, giving the kitchen a touch of soft glamour, and an adjoining area can be utilized as a lounge or casual dining space.
    Mark David, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2025
  • To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Senior Democrats are treating Saturday’s demonstrations as a show of strength and are urging participants to be peaceful amid fears disorder could be used to justify an administration crackdown.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Fans of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie were treated to an animatronics line in June, featuring an over 5-foot tall Victor, Emily, along with a 2-foot tall Sparky.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In theory, Slot’s tactical out-of-possession shuffle to a staggered 4-3-3 should help Liverpool to defend on their right flank, but the ease with which Chelsea exploited the space was a culmination of weeks of warning signs.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • What figures such as Tate, Caz, Maalouf, and others are doing is exploiting civil instability and installing themselves as truth-tellers in a society where experts can’t be trusted.
    T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Where Parkinson ends up remains opaque, but his ability and application have got him to this point, along with a firm support network, encouragement, qualifications.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This series is designed for cost-efficiency, for applications prioritizing mobility and manipulation.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The pair abducted Lee to make amends, and Allen killed them for outliving their usefulness, which was minimal anyway.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
  • According to Havel, this usefulness is so successful, so total, that the story, the history, ceases to exist.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To be honest, this is a bit too hot for my liking, but high-proof fans will geek out on this.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The single bathroom has a stand-up shower and the finishes are customized to your liking—think faux marble on the walls.
    Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This philosophy applies to business owners seeking to develop managers and leaders within their organizations.
    Joe Boylan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Their work could be a critical step toward the safe and rational decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, and the technology could be applied to nuclear accident sites elsewhere in the world.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In August, a lawsuit accused OpenAI of encouraging a teenager’s suicide, intensifying scrutiny around how ChatGPT handles mental health interactions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
  • While there were explosive offensive plays that contributed to this Falcons victory, their defense being able to handle Bills quarterback Josh Allen was just as important at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on use

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