serve

Definition of servenext
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 Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council who formerly served as the late Khamenei’s top advisor, said in his first remarks since the ayatollah’s killing that his assassination was unprecedented. Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 Former University of Cincinnati Hall of Fame quarterback and Cincinnati sports broadcaster Tony Pike will serve as Grand Marshal. Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2026 Only 40 guests were invited to the wedding, including John’s cousin Anthony Radziwill (who served as his best man); John’s sister, Caroline Kennedy (Carolyn’s matron of honour), and her husband, Edwin Schlossberg; and their kids, Jack (the ring bearer), Rose and Tatiana (both flower girls). Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2026 Rokke is providing financial support to the race, including boosting the race purse by $100,000 to a total of $650,000 and providing $170,000 in support for the 17 Alaska Native villages that serve as checkpoints. ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve
Verb
  • In a ceremony at the National Congress in the coastal city of Valparaíso and attended by dozens of heads of state, Kast and his Cabinet took the oaths of office after a landslide victory in the 2025 elections.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The group decided to attend the dinner but not post about it on social media.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But after two years of getting a pass, no excuse is going to suffice if Musselman misses the tournament next season.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • But your favorite shades of green nail polish should suffice just fine.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • So, this administration is doing it all backwards.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Experiencing that life cycle of knowing where my food comes from and watching my uncles do the butchering and then eating it the same day through slow roasting was really impactful for me as a kid.
    Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The doctor explained how Moïse had to be listed under several aliases while being treated.
    Tania Francois, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
  • It is officially recognized as sovereign by only 11 other nations, but is treated as de facto independent by Western powers such as the United States.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation acted as the perfect canvas—the skin tint is lightweight, buildable, and packed with skin-improving ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
    Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 8 Mar. 2026
  • This bridal shower dress acts as a sweet nod to my wedding weekend, and the celebrations that are just around the corner.
    Alexandra Ditch, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Deep conversations benefit from Jupiter’s newfound forward momentum, which energizes your 8th House of Deep Sharing.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Travelers aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit from the new sleep areas.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The initial goal was a single-family home that could fit a family of four (plus a dog), and was within walking distance of the school.
    Carisa Crawford Chappell, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The man at the gun shop looked at Martinez, a small woman with round eyes and rosy cheeks, and recommended the pistol, which fit nicely in her hands.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With a high, stable energy supply, the ship could support a larger number of these power-hungry containers, giving operators greater flexibility to handle cargo demand.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • His body could handle the demands.
    Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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