tool 1 of 2

tool

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verb

as in to drive
to travel by a motorized vehicle I spent some time tooling around town today

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tool different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of tool are appliance, implement, instrument, and utensil. While all these words mean "a relatively simple device for performing work," tool suggests an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill more strongly than implement.

a carpenter's tools

When is it sensible to use appliance instead of tool?

While the synonyms appliance and tool are close in meaning, appliance refers to a tool or instrument utilizing a power source and suggests portability or temporary attachment.

household appliances

In what contexts can implement take the place of tool?

In some situations, the words implement and tool are roughly equivalent. However, implement may apply to anything necessary to perform a task.

crude stone implements
farm implements

When is instrument a more appropriate choice than tool?

While in some cases nearly identical to tool, instrument suggests a device capable of delicate or precise work.

the dentist's instruments

When could utensil be used to replace tool?

The words utensil and tool can be used in similar contexts, but utensil applies to a device used in domestic work or some routine unskilled activity.

kitchen utensils

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 tool
Noun
By tracking weather data, the app delivers options that are suitable for the wind, rain, or sun—and if Alta users are planning a getaway, the AI tool checks luggage size and trip itineraries to make sure a traveler packs the appropriate wardrobe. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025 Throughout the series the characters navigate challenges like being misunderstood by their neurotypical peers and teachers and finding accommodations and tools that work with their brain differences. Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Many employees may not be aware of the dangers associated with feeding GenAI tools sensitive data. Camellia Chan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 When the season ended, Payton and general manager George Paton could have re-tooled the personnel on defense or let a couple of key contributors go. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tool
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tool
Noun
  • The innovation could pave the way for medical tools that move through the body’s arteries or inspection devices that crawl into complex machinery.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad were then called to the scene and were able to successfully locate and detonate the incendiary devices without any further incident.
    Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My values include the beliefs that all of our students should feel safe, respected, and valued in our schools, that decisions should be made on the best available evidence and data, that our kids are not political pawns, that inclusion creates opportunity, and that schools shouldn’t ban books.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Remember the big picture, people, and stop using taxpayers as pawns, or worse yet, collateral damage.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Remove any shoots and suckers that appear on the trunk or near the roots, and get rid of crossing or dead branches.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Fresno was the right sparring partner at the wrong time, a sucker that rolled into Canvas three weeks too late.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The politically motivated preemption of the late-night program following host Jimmy Kimmel's brief remarks regarding the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drove a massive wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, a new report from the research firm Antenna shows, per The New York Times.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Fortune reports on air traffic controllers who are driving for Uber and DoorDash to make ends meet.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For deep-space science, the ability to launch heavier, more complex instruments means more ambitious missions, from sample-return expeditions to Jupiter’s moons to large-scale observatories parked in distant orbits.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025
  • D’Angelo played all of the instruments himself, and used mostly analog recording equipment.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Once in orbit, the satellite will unfold a mirror that measures 60 by 60 feet (18 by 18 meters) in order to demonstrate its ability to direct sunlight down onto targets on Earth.
    Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • For the Texans, Nico Collins left the game early with a head injury, finishing with only four catches for 27 yards on 10 targets.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Five pedal-assist levels are available, plus throttle too – either way, the e-trike will motor you to 20 mph (32 km/h).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The de facto captain oriented himself by motoring northwest along the coast towards Havana.
    Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Published in Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes, the work investigated the suitability of boron isotope fingerprinting techniques for studying glass dissolution mechanisms, focussing on solid-state diffusion processes during boron release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Internally at studios and agencies, there’s confusion — and frustration — around the opt-out mechanism, according to people familiar with the matter, all of whom noted there’s no formal system for doing so and characterized Altman’s walk back as lip service.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tool.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tool. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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