Synonyms of serves

serves

verb

present tense third-person singular of serve

1

as in works (for)

to be a servant for

he served his master faithfully for 20 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• works (for)
• attends
• slaves (for)
• waits on
• tends (to)
• ministers (to)
• dances attendance (upon)

2

as in suffices

to be enough

they made the pasta serve for eight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suffices
• does
• satisfies
• suits
• answers
• contents
• quenches
• satiates
• assuages
• sates

3

as in does

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

• suffices
• does
• fits
• suits
• goes
• befits
• works
• satisfies
• fills the bill
• beseems
• functions

4

as in treats

to behave toward in a stated way

my parents served me well in preparing me for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treats
• handles
• uses
• is (to)
• deals (with)
• acts (toward)
• does by
• considers
• regards
• responds (to)
• reacts (to)
• engages (with)
• views
• esteems
• rates
• reckons

5

as in acts

to have a certain purpose

the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

Synonyms & Similar Words

• acts
• functions
• works
• operates
• performs
• manages
• runs
• directs
• regulates
• guides
• handles
• controls
• administers
• supervises
• oversees
• carries on

6

as in benefits

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

• benefits
• helps
• avails
• advantages
• assists
• aids
• works (for)
• succeeds
• profits
• improves
• pleases
• satisfies
• contents
• delights
• blesses
• gratifies
• gladdens
• betters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinders
• impedes
• hurts
• impairs
• injures
• harms
• damages
• afflicts
• upsets
• distresses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of serves

Reportedly, the artificial intelligence serves as both the observational eyes and the active navigator throughout the procedure by establishing a continuous feedback loop between real-time ultrasound image processing and physical surgical control. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Le Drian, who is seventy-nine years old and currently serves as France’s special envoy to Lebanon, has worked in the Middle East for nearly two decades. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

The canal serves as the engine of the Panamanian economy and handles nearly 3% of global maritime trade. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Whether the fruit is edible for humans or serves as food for wildlife, berry bushes are typically low-maintenance and offer multi-seasonal beauty in the garden. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026

The two-night ceremony serves as a kickoff to next week’s Primetime Emmys, giving out many awards in the reality, variety, documentary, and guest actor categories. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

Down at the pools—there are two, with one dedicated just for families—Sombra cantina serves poolside favorites like chicken fingers and salads as well as Mexican dishes like ceviche and fish tacos. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026

Most obviously, front and center, and in endlessly intrusive close-up, there’s Pattinson — who also serves as producer — playing the arrogant, fame-addicted, megalomaniac Hansen. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

This serves as an important learning curve on the route to F1, where drivers who can easily tell their teams how a car can be refined to go faster are prized. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026