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
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2025
She’s used her songwriting acumen and work ethic to model a feminine sort of genius, in which fastidious care—not disruptive innovation—creates a body of nourishing art.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
One of the great legs-up available to TV and film creators is the use of existing IP, and many of today’s most-popular adaptations are coming from video games.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Verb
It can also be used for applying marinades, vinegars and more.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2025
She’s used her songwriting acumen and work ethic to model a feminine sort of genius, in which fastidious care—not disruptive innovation—creates a body of nourishing art.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Right now his department’s promised report on what has caused rates of autism to rise over recent decades is expected to highlight Tylenol use, whether during pregnancy or, as my colleague Tom Bartlett reported, based on Kennedy’s correspondence with a fringe researcher, in early childhood.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
One of the great legs-up available to TV and film creators is the use of existing IP, and many of today’s most-popular adaptations are coming from video games.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
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The solar panels produce electricity in DC current which is then converted to AC current utilized inside the building with an inverter.—
Mindy Lubber,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That’s what the lesson here is for me, to treat others with respect and kindness, to honor the wishes of the fallen, and to have this dream of a better future.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2025
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Walshe’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he was treated overnight at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and returned to jail.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The cycle from discovery to exploit used to be measured in weeks, even months.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Achane exploited both players at different times, and became a problem the Patriots never solved.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Immigration Judge Jamee Comans accused the pro-Palestinian activist of omitting information from his green card application.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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However, most lenders approve HELOC applications within four to six weeks.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But for anything else, be prepared for hit-or-miss accuracy and usefulness.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
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Researchers studying pollen’s usefulness to people are a rare breed, Csaba says.—
Sandy Ong,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hummers will take advantage of most nectar that’s offered, but when the food and ambiance (clean feeders and no predators) are to their liking, word does get around.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
8 Sep. 2025
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It’s established right away that Ziva and Tony are friendly but romantically estranged co-parents who’ve found Europe to their mutual liking, but the exact nature of how their relationship changed over the last few years reveals itself in copious flashbacks.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Goldilocks principle applies to ensuring that the soup is not too hot and not too cold.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Regional restrictions may apply.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The most visible are those in customer service and support, with AI agents now handling millions of customer interactions once handled by live agents over chat, email and even phone.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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There’s also some discussion of how to handle characters with alternate forms, such as Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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