as in useless
not capable of being put to use or account
a completely unusable gadget that's just taking up space in the drawer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unusable
This method also had the practical downside of rendering my colander unusable for straining the rigatoni for my Wednesday-night pasta alla vodka.
—
Alma Avalle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
In previous winters, the bathroom pipes in his unit froze making the toilet and shower unusable, but property managers resolved it within a day or two, DeFelice said.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Furthermore, Brown said, as the permafrost melts, Greenland’s ground will likely shift, making things like roads and runways buckled and unusable.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
Attics are notorious for creating a lingering mildew smell in fabrics and linings, which can make older luggage virtually unusable.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusable
Alma Avalle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
In previous winters, the bathroom pipes in his unit froze making the toilet and shower unusable, but property managers resolved it within a day or two, DeFelice said.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Furthermore, Brown said, as the permafrost melts, Greenland’s ground will likely shift, making things like roads and runways buckled and unusable.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
Attics are notorious for creating a lingering mildew smell in fabrics and linings, which can make older luggage virtually unusable.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unusable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unusable
Adjective
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While sowing seeds in winter is a smart way to get a head start on gardening season, doing so too early can stress your seedlings, rendering your efforts useless.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 Feb. 2026
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Suspects are allegedly jamming the signal, making your camera useless.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Is to attend a literary salon hosted by an heritage brand a signifier of an impractical life?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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But this season, the looks that made the highest impact eschewed function for jaw-dropping, delightfully impractical looks.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is a significant issue for a project intended for deep-space mission launches, microgravity research, and space manufacturing – only for it to be found unsuitable for any of those goals, largely due to the presence of the astronauts themselves.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
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Its old building, constructed in 1939 for the Social Security Board, needed expensive renovations; reportedly had ancient, faulty wiring; was far too big; and was generally unsuitable for modern journalism.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unusable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unusable. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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