Synonyms of serve

serve

verb

ˈsərv 

1

as in to attend

to be a servant for

he served his master faithfully for 20 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attend
• work (for)
• slave (for)
• wait on
• dance attendance (upon)
• tend (to)
• minister (to)

2

as in to suffice

to be enough

they made the pasta serve for eight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suffice
• do
• satisfy
• suit
• answer
• quench
• content
• satiate
• sate
• assuage

3

as in to do

to be fitting or proper

those old riding boots will serve for now, but you'll need newer ones for the horse show

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suffice
• do
• fit
• suit
• satisfy
• go
• befit
• fill the bill
• work
• beseem
• function

4

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way

my parents served me well in preparing me for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treat
• handle
• use
• be (to)
• deal (with)
• act (toward)
• regard
• consider
• respond (to)
• view
• react (to)
• do by
• engage (with)
• rate
• reckon
• esteem

5

as in to act

to have a certain purpose

the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

Synonyms & Similar Words

• act
• function
• work
• perform
• operate
• manage
• run
• regulate
• handle
• guide
• administer
• control
• carry on
• direct
• supervise
• oversee

6

as in to benefit

to provide with something useful or desirable

an excellent college that served her with the skills necessary to make it in today's job market

Synonyms & Similar Words

• benefit
• help
• avail
• profit
• assist
• advantage
• aid
• improve
• succeed
• work (for)
• satisfy
• please
• better
• bless
• gratify
• content
• delight
• gladden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• impede
• hurt
• impair
• injure
• harm
• damage
• distress
• upset
• afflict

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of serve

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1979, Gray returned to music photography — shooting a slew of album covers and, in the early 1980s, serving as Michael Jackson’s personal photographer at a time when the singer was breaking out as a solo act. — Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Throughout American history, interfaith coalitions have created powerful change and served as sources of inspiration, Segal said. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Fresh bread, pastries, and cakes are baked daily and served alongside fruit, a huge variety of cheeses, hummus, salmon, and egg dishes, and—a given at a hotel that celebrates traditional Madrid life— churros. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

James Dolan will serve as executive chairman and CEO of both companies, and the Dolan family will retain control of both. — Robert Gray, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026