1
as in works (for)
to be a servant for
he served his master faithfully for 20 years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
4
as in treats
to behave toward in a stated way
my parents served me well in preparing me for life
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of serves
According to her bio on Cooley’s website, Hartnett serves as a trial and appellate advocate and has done work on a variety of issues including LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights and criminal justice.
—
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Jan. 2026
Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
As part of the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) network, this aircraft serves as an airborne relay between national leadership—including the President and Secretary of Defense—and strategic forces such as ballistic missile submarines.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
The work triangle has origins dating back to the 19th century, but in a space that now serves diverse purposes and is filled with technology and appliances that didn’t exist when it was created, is the kitchen work triangle still relevant?
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Harvest Farm is a property north of Fort Collins that serves as a long-term recovery and resource center for those trying to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Burlap loosely draped around the entire evergreen serves as a windscreen when strong winter winds are expected.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
In the morning, walk through the lobby to Café Clermont, which serves grab-and-go breakfast and Jittery Joes coffee.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The European Union could impose sanctions on Washington, or limit its use of military bases in Europe, but both would be mutually painful in the extreme, said Mika Aaltola, a Finnish lawmaker who serves on the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Jan. 2026
Skeeter, 36, serves as the Hornets’ player development coach and is also the primary person who works extremely closely with star guard LaMelo Ball.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
As part of the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) network, this aircraft serves as an airborne relay between national leadership—including the President and Secretary of Defense—and strategic forces such as ballistic missile submarines.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
The work triangle has origins dating back to the 19th century, but in a space that now serves diverse purposes and is filled with technology and appliances that didn’t exist when it was created, is the kitchen work triangle still relevant?
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Harvest Farm is a property north of Fort Collins that serves as a long-term recovery and resource center for those trying to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Burlap loosely draped around the entire evergreen serves as a windscreen when strong winter winds are expected.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
In the morning, walk through the lobby to Café Clermont, which serves grab-and-go breakfast and Jittery Joes coffee.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The European Union could impose sanctions on Washington, or limit its use of military bases in Europe, but both would be mutually painful in the extreme, said Mika Aaltola, a Finnish lawmaker who serves on the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serves
Verb
-
And, if identity suffices in defining the art work, what else about it is overlooked along that way?—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
-
But today, the Attention Economy no longer suffices.—
Rajiv Shesh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Light Fixtures The dishwasher does an excellent job cleaning hard plastic and glass light fixtures.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
To a lesser extent, the Escalade also does battle with cars like the BMW X7, the Lexus LX, Mercedes GLS, and Range Rover, though, considering only American full-size luxury SUVs—as many buyers in the segment do—Escalade is well on top.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of the reasons wildlife is so plentiful around La Selva’s property—the lodge sits on 23 acres and runs its excursions on another 23 acres—is because of how La Selva treats the jungle.—
Noah Lederman,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
-
At the same time, new developments will also make workers busier than ever, which may be a welcome sign for Huang, who treats work as essentially a way of life.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Smith Canal Gate acts as a 50-foot-wide barrier between the San Joaquin River and thousands of homes in central Stockton in flood-prone areas.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Each Smart Tag acts as a key for specific reactions and sounds, and these can also unlock mini-games with missions and goals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Here, perched on the Atlantic, Miami can offer a rich variety of seafood straight from the ocean, as well as farm fresh produce which benefits from a long, sunny growing season.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Remember, the entire body also benefits from simple everyday movements—taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving, and even shopping in-person instead of ordering online—and the benefits of regular exercise for all aspects of health can’t be understated.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Harlow Berger now spends considerable time at the house of a friend and club soccer teammate, Nina Meyer, who attends Hill-Murray and whose parents have treated her as one of their own.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Lisa Ann Walter attends the DIVAS Simply Singing!—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Eric handles the role of the older Simms, while Finn plays the character in flashback scenes — including a jarring opening sequence of him in action.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Kaufmann was first elected to the Iowa House in 2012 and previously served as the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax policy.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Aside from serving as a convenient storage spot, the ottoman also functions as a footrest, a seat, and a side table.—
Ali Faccenda,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Oganazi Set of 5 Glass Coasters Coasters not only help your furniture stay damage-free, but a nice set also functions as decor on its own.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serves. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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