used 1 of 2

adjective

ˈyüzd How to pronounce used (audio)
Definition of usednext
as in accustomed
being in the habit or custom my grandmother has spent her whole life on the farm and is used to working hard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

used

2 of 2

verb

past tense of use
1
as in utilized
to put into action or service I will need to use the large hammer for this project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treated
to behave toward in a stated way the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers

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3
as in exploited
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

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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 used
Adjective
Monstera’s, an independent bookstore that sells both new and used books, plants, stationery, records, gifts and more, was started in March 2024 by owner Kate Wieners. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 This comes nearly a year after the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax incentive on a new EV and $4,000 on a used one. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Verb
Since the launch of LineShine, the supercomputer has been used for applications ranging from climate modeling and engineering simulations to drug discovery, neuroscience and AI, the center said. — John Liu, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 Maybe the hydration break should have been used for caffeine. — Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for used
Recent Examples of Synonyms for used
  1. accustomed
  2. utilized
  3. treated
  4. exploited
  5. applied
  6. served
  7. abused
  8. employed
Adjective
  • Commissioner Coby Crowl said Costco needs to engage with the nearby residents that have grown accustomed to the store.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
  • Georgia football fans have grown accustomed to seeing the youngest son of coach Kirby Smart on game days.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of accustomed
Verb
  • For that project, contractors poured new, tinted concrete for the bottom of the pool and utilized a hydrophilic joint sealing strip, Hydrotite, from the New Jersey company Sika.
    — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • But the company has never put a number to the amount of projects that have utilized AI and have actual shots enhanced by generative AI within them, especially considering none of those series have previously been disclosed as containing AI.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Definition of utilized
Verb
  • Breast cancer survivor Nancy Clifton-Hawkins, who was treated at the City of Hope, bought the phone on EBay for $50.
    — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • More the former than the latter, sure, but both men are not overly pleased at the way they’re being treated.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of treated
Verb
  • The stutter, in this case, provides a sudden stimulus that triggers the ’keeper to commit to going in a certain direction early, which can then be exploited with a shot sent the other way.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Parties have exploited lulls in fighting to buy time, rebuild capabilities and consolidate political or territorial gains ahead of the next round of conflict.
    — Anthony Wanis-St John, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of exploited
Verb
  • Boston Dynamics said the same AI training methods used to teach Atlas celebratory football movements are also being applied to warehouse automation and manufacturing tasks.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Bollo, the son of a domestic worker and a line cook, said he’s applied to work as a teaching assistant and graduate researcher, which would waive the cost of his tuition.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of applied
Verb
  • In a statement, historic preservation group Historic KC said the building once served as the headquarters of the Western Newspaper Union, whose services supplied thousands of weekly newspapers through the country in the early 1900s.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • In 2023, she was served a restraining order from the district for sharing teachers’ personal information, which was later revoked, according to previous reporting from The Bee.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of served
Verb
  • Hodge says he was abused in multiple federal penitentiaries, but was frequently blocked from filing complaints about it.
    — Christie Thompson, NPR, 13 July 2026
  • Prosecutors have alleged that Millete physically abused May, pointing to her past journal entries.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of abused
Verb
  • The security guards, who were employed by Akima Global Services, were distinguishable by the color of their shirts.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Igoe did not respond to an email asking if the deputies were still employed or had been disciplined due to the incident.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of employed

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use
used
used up
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Cite this Entry

“Used.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/used. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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