1
as in to utilize
to put into action or service
I will need to use the large hammer for this project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to exploit
to take unfair advantage of
I was paying for everything on our little outing, and I was starting to feel like I was being used
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in application
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the use of boom boxes is strictly prohibited in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in usefulness
the capacity for being useful for some purpose
the broken grill isn't going to be of much use in cooking the hamburgers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in liking
positive regard for something
I have no use for slackers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of use
Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn all use the park as their migration thoroughfare.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
By cooling chips more efficiently, Microsoft expects to reduce datacenter energy use and costs.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Verb
The 18-year-old shooter who attacked Black customers at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in 2022 used Reddit and Discord to plan his movements and then livestreamed a portion on Twitch.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn all use the park as their migration thoroughfare.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Despite the use of the drones, no prominent leader of Haiti’s’ powerful criminal groups has been neutralized, said Esperance, even as civilian deaths are rising.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
By cooling chips more efficiently, Microsoft expects to reduce datacenter energy use and costs.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
-
The designers utilized advance technologies for dyeing, washing and finishing to reduce water usage and minimize or eliminate harmful chemicals.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Sep. 2025
-
While primarily utilized as a winger during his career, Dembélé often played down the middle for Luis Enrique’s side, spearheading a fluent and formidable front three, flanked by the dynamic Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was treated at the same facility as Nichols.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Jillian, who police say had no involvement in the hit-and-run and was standing in her own yard, was later taken into custody and treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
State-of-the-art dilution refrigerators exploit mixtures of helium-3 and helium-4 to cool qubits down to millikelvin temperatures where fragile quantum states can persist.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
-
That each and every one of us has a role to play in standing up against authoritarian powers that want to exploit our differences for their own gain.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Currently, the federal government is not accepting new applications for the program because of federal court rulings, though individuals already in the program may apply for renewals.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Companies are used to paying between $2,000 and $5,000 per visa application.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But as with any AI, the usefulness, accuracy, or clarity of those responses can vary widely.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Beyond a glassy, bubbly new design, the update’s flashiest new features also include new Apple Intelligence AI integration that varies in usefulness, from fluffy new Genmoji abilities to a nifty live translation feature for Phones, Messages, and FaceTime.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another one of his tops came in a deep shade of red and did seem to be to his liking.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Haight finished second on the team in goals with 20, and after some adjustment found better competition, and better teammates, to his liking.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Currently, the federal government is not accepting new applications for the program because of federal court rulings, though individuals already in the program may apply for renewals.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Alibaba said it could be applied in areas such as smart glasses and intelligent cockpits.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The weaknesses Even if Sorokin can handle whatever the Islanders throw his way, this team still has a lot of work to do to regain its identity as a defensively sound team.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Wulff Funeral Home in Woodbury is handling arrangements.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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