1
as in devices
an article intended for use in work
needed a special tool to open the case of the appliance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pawns
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another
a ruthless leader using his trusting followers as tools in his quest for power
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in suckers
one who is easily deceived or cheated
you're just a pathetic tool of the advertising industry if you believe everything you see in TV commercials
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of tools
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images Cloudflare's stock gained 5% Wednesday after the company beat Wall Street's fourth-quarter estimates and issued upbeat guidance as artificial intelligence adoption fuels demand for its networking and security tools.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Now, scientists hope that a new generation of tools—like a first-of-its-kind risk calculator—can turn those invisible warning signs into something people can see, understand, and act on years before the worst-case scenario strikes.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Then, ease into exercises while using those tools.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Some of the most powerful use cases are coming from experienced professionals who combine decades of expertise with new AI tools.
—Brent Saunders, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
That being said, chimney cleaning is another task that should be handled by a professional who specializes in that area and has the right tools and knowledge to do it safely and effectively.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Those that are interested in participating in the project voluntarily hand over documents on policies, tools and product features.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
To listen to these quiet galactic whispers, scientists need the right tools.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Many employees may not be aware of the dangers associated with feeding GenAI tools sensitive data.
—Camellia Chan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Other introspective angles are explored during Mariano’s audiences with his friend the Pope (Rufin Doh Zeyenouin), a serene Black man with a head crowned by a bundle of silver dreads, who tools around the Vatican on a motorbike.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
The story summaries above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images Cloudflare's stock gained 5% Wednesday after the company beat Wall Street's fourth-quarter estimates and issued upbeat guidance as artificial intelligence adoption fuels demand for its networking and security tools.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Now, scientists hope that a new generation of tools—like a first-of-its-kind risk calculator—can turn those invisible warning signs into something people can see, understand, and act on years before the worst-case scenario strikes.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
Then, ease into exercises while using those tools.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Some of the most powerful use cases are coming from experienced professionals who combine decades of expertise with new AI tools.
—Brent Saunders, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
That being said, chimney cleaning is another task that should be handled by a professional who specializes in that area and has the right tools and knowledge to do it safely and effectively.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Those that are interested in participating in the project voluntarily hand over documents on policies, tools and product features.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
To listen to these quiet galactic whispers, scientists need the right tools.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Guests staying at the Beach Club have indulgent perks like a complimentary 15-minute ride on the adorable Sorbetto Fiat boat that tools around Lake Boca.
—Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Many employees may not be aware of the dangers associated with feeding GenAI tools sensitive data.
—Camellia Chan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Other introspective angles are explored during Mariano’s audiences with his friend the Pope (Rufin Doh Zeyenouin), a serene Black man with a head crowned by a bundle of silver dreads, who tools around the Vatican on a motorbike.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tools
Noun
-
In September, a swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland's airspace, prompting NATO aircraft to scramble to intercept them and shoot down some of the devices.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The countries announced a framework for the agreement in November, saying Argentina would ease restrictions on a range of American imports, including cattle, dairy products, medicines, chemicals, machinery, medical devices and vehicles.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During that period, NYC received 220,000 migrants — because the Republican governor of Texas wanted to cruelly use them as political pawns by sending them here.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Government shutdowns are avoidable and harmful to families, workers, the economy and federal workers shouldn’t be pawns.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To remove the suckers growing at the base of some viburnum species, cut them back at ground level.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
-
For a coach who thinks running the ball is for squares and suckers, that’s not exactly adapting one’s philosophy to fit your personnel.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike body composition metrics, BMI obscures the true extent of metabolic dysfunction and cannot distinguish between muscle and fat — or between superficial fat and the visceral fat that drives diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.—
Bret Scher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Some of what also drives Honnold is making the world a better place.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Only three of them consistently performed on record and in concert, but at least a dozen more were honorary members who attended formal band meetings and were granted as much say in its direction and philosophy as those who actually played the instruments.—
Andy Cush,
Pitchfork,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Yet the government can still gradually erode rights, shaping citizens into compliant instruments of the state if left unchecked.—
Ken Silverstein,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Family members of the shooting victims cried as the sentence was handed down.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Nelson, one of the shooting victims, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in self-defense before the truck drove away, according to the lawsuit filed by the family against the Police Department.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tools.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tools. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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