use 1 of 2

1
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

use

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb use contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use. While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

Where would employ be a reasonable alternative to use?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of use?

While in some cases nearly identical to use, utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

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 use
Verb
Trump’s intention to accept the Boeing 747-8 and transform the plane so it can be used as Air Force One has caused a storm of controversy. Patrick Knickerbocker, CNBC, 19 May 2025 Just last year, a team led by Douglas R. Stenton used DNA to identify a jawbone found on King William Island in 1993 as that of Erebus’ captain, Fitzjames. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Noun
However, the Virginia Tech team concluded that 80% of urban subsidence in the U.S. is caused by groundwater removal for human use. Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 8 May 2025 Adjust Horizontally Misaligned Cabinet Door During installation or even after years of regular use, cabinet doors might slide too far to one side or the other. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
  • The technical restoration process utilized the original camera and sound negatives as primary source elements, with work completed at the specialized facility L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2025
  • By utilizing this, managers can reevaluate the expenditure in relation to current priorities, determine whether existing resources can be repurposed and prevent reactive decisions.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The man, who was from Cape Coral, Fla., sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 9 May 2025
  • The visitor from Cape Coral was treated for minor injuries.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • By exploiting Bitcoin arbitrage opportunities, such as price differences between Japan and the U.S., Alameda generated daily profits up to $1 million.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • Airlines are making a ridiculous amount of money by selling you the promise of avoiding a middle seat or exploiting your separation anxiety or your claustrophobia.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • As a parent herself, Turner understands the nuances of college applications firsthand.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • In recent years, roughly one-third to half of asylum applications were approved by judges.
    Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • These two veterans of a long, bloody war have mostly outlived their usefulness to their respective causes.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • The concept made a limited impact with the team because his boss didn’t believe in its usefulness.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • That's quite a compliment from the King of Horror, a man not known to keep mum if an adaptation of one of his works is not to his liking.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 1 May 2025
  • Sweeten it to your liking with dates, maple syrup, or not at all.
    Laura Mclively, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • The $30 cost includes all fees, but not taxes as applicable according to city, state and venue and applies to amphitheater shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The liquid, applied with a brush, works best for full nail coverage, especially on larger nailbeds.
    Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • And then obviously handling the real creatures was fun.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 18 May 2025
  • Multiple dialogue options suggest multiple ways to handle story scenarios.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on use

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