serve

1
as in to attend
to be a servant for he served his master faithfully for 20 years

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2
as in to suffice
to be enough they made the pasta serve for eight guests

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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

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4
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way my parents served me well in preparing me for life

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5
as in to act
to have a certain purpose the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

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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

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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 serve Iran’s 'Supreme Leader' likely will dictate its response Much, if not all, of Iran’s response will be dictated not by its civilian government but by Khamenei, the Iranian cleric who has served as the second supreme leader of Iran since 1989. Josh Meyer, USA Today, 23 June 2025 Snack on water-rich fruit or hummus served with raw veggies. Cynthia Sass, Health, 23 June 2025 County officials are opening up several police department station lobbies and community rooms to serve as cooling centers. Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025 The state’s current governor, Democrat Phil Murphy, can't run again after serving two terms. Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for serve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve
Verb
  • Boelter’s friends have described him as a devout Christian who’s attended President Donald Trump’s campaign rallies, according to the Associated Press.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 18 June 2025
  • Both attended Ashbrook High School in Gaston County.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • But unlike the post-Enron era when adding one qualified financial expert sufficed, the AI revolution demands something far more radical: every director must become AI literate, or risk becoming a liability in the intelligence age.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Several roster holes to fill and if a long term option isn't ideal then a short term,stop gap move may suffice.
    Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • While the audience members could still speak on the item about to be deferred, Rodriguez said, doing so would mean the public wouldn’t have the chance to address commissioners if the item ever came up for an actual vote at a future meeting.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
  • Apps which are meant to make users safer and more secure but are doing the very opposite.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • It’s cleverly done, with the audience treated to a young Ollie Rathbone weaving in and out of an opposition defence to score with a thumping finish in junior football just moments before being shown doing exactly the same to break the deadlock after 15 minutes.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Consult with a doctor about the following remedies as options to treat sweating: Using a prescription-strength antiperspirant or deodorant to tell your body to stop producing sweat.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The actress, who broke through with her Oscar-winning performance in the 1990 film Misery, has over 200 acting and directing credits to her name.
    Brendan Le, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Even if borrowers act immediately, there simply may not be enough time to enroll in ICR.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • What To Know The current state of the market may benefit buyers rather than sellers as active U.S. listings last month reached a five-year high, according to data reported by real estate brokerage Redfin on Monday.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Embracing flexible work arrangements not only benefits employees but also positions companies for future success in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
    Nancy Pulciano, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • After trading Doncic, Harrison talked about the importance of culture in winning an NBA title and talked about how Flagg fits the Mavs’ culture.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
  • Shoppers who didn’t fit in could expect a rude greeting.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • His approval on handling inflation and the cost of living has also fallen by nearly 6 points in the same period.
    Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • From floral arrangements to first dances, every detail matters—and at Walters Wedding Estates, every detail is handled with care, transparency, and a passion for making those dreams come true.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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