1
as in to utilize
to put into action or service
I will need to use the large hammer for this project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way
the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to exploit
to take unfair advantage of
I was paying for everything on our little outing, and I was starting to feel like I was being used
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in application
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the use of boom boxes is strictly prohibited in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in usefulness
the capacity for being useful for some purpose
the broken grill isn't going to be of much use in cooking the hamburgers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in liking
positive regard for something
I have no use for slackers
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 use
Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
These companies collect and sell profiles that scammers use for targeting.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
The City Council agreed that an environmental impact report prepared for the Guajome Lake Homes project failed to adequately address public safety, land-use issues and wildlife concerns.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for use
Verb
Quininchetta discarded the weapon in a nearby parking lot and returned home using a rideshare service, investigators said.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
These companies collect and sell profiles that scammers use for targeting.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
What separates Hush from other slasher films of its ilk is how Flanagan and Siegel give its main character sharp instincts and depth, as well as a frightening use of silence.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
The City Council agreed that an environmental impact report prepared for the Guajome Lake Homes project failed to adequately address public safety, land-use issues and wildlife concerns.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
-
The film builds the arc of Bamford’s life and career by utilizing clips from decades of her stand-up.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
-
With astronaut launches, NASA utilizes military vessels stationed at sea across various points around the planet, where crew capsules can land and be recovered in the event of an emergency-abort situation.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The executive order cited a 2023 FDA review that found scientific support for the use of medical marijuana to treat pain, anorexia and nausea/vomiting.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In an environment where most employees already lack the time or energy to do their jobs, treating responsiveness as a core leadership trait doesn’t create momentum.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Violent confrontations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota are being driven by outside actors exploiting chaos, not organic protest, according to a protest insider warning that the situation is rapidly spiraling.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, it was siphoned off and exploited.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While flat structures work well in many systems, one-dimensional forms offer advantages in applications that require fast transport or mechanical reinforcement.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Once in Texas, he was kept in chains for 16 hours and interrogated about his refugee application before being released without documents from a detention center in Houston, the lawsuit said.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As more people and businesses accept Bitcoin as a form of payment, a store of wealth, or as a core element of the larger crypto system, its usefulness naturally grows.—
K.H. Koehler,
jsonline.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Many hardware platforms these days benefit from software updates long after the initial purchase price, upgrading capability and usefulness.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Once the pork is about 80 percent browned to your liking, 8 to 10 minutes, add the garlic.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Once the tomato's ripeness is to your liking, Sears says to hold the stem of the plant with one hand and pull the tomato off with the other.—
Nashia Baker,
Martha Stewart,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During vetting by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, refugees are required to show they were persecuted or face persecution in their home countries and, once in the US, must apply for green cards a year after admission.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The designation only applies to the sign, not the attached building, which houses Americana Pizza.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which customarily handles shootings involving officers in the Peach State, is handling the investigation, which remains ongoing.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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