useful

adjective

ˈyüs-fəl How to pronounce useful (audio)
Definition of usefulnext
1
as in applicable
capable of being put to use or account useful suggestions for limiting the amount of food we eat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose I've found this tool really useful for making sure all my pictures are hung straight

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in helpful
providing service or assistance hopefully, the consultant's financial advice will prove useful in planning for our retirement

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 useful This option prevents being able to use many useful features, though. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 Although control of the House will ultimately be determined in votes for individual candidates in individual congressional districts across the county, the generic House question is a useful barometer. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 These experts help train LinkedIn’s AI model on what authentic, useful posts look like. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 By tonight, the Moon enters Aquarius and your attention turns toward something useful. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
  1. applicable
  2. available
  3. helpful
  4. practical
  5. functional
  6. beneficial
  7. applied
  8. operable
Adjective
  • Tesla still needs to prove the Roadster can be manufactured reliably and meet applicable regulations.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • According to Vertical, the LCR-110 meets applicable EASA and Federal Aviation Administration technical standards for inertial reference equipment.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of applicable
Adjective
  • The system can also help the Army pair missiles with the best available radar, even when that sensor sits outside conventional communication angles.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Reps could not provide information on how much stock is available and for how long.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of available
Adjective
  • That’s not super helpful if your web application has been written using PHP.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In order to be helpful, Muse constantly builds extensive dossiers of users and their desires, social relationships, and messaging behaviors, TIME’s Harry Booth reported this month.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpful
Adjective
  • So the theoretical maximum is 256 ESSMs rather than 64 missiles, although a practical loadout would probably mix missile types.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Join Fortune‘s Sam Birchall and a group of CFOs on Wednesday 28th October to discuss practical perspectives on strengthening capability, continuity, and long-term resilience in finance.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of practical
Adjective
  • Oleshky also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional, according to previous Fox News Digital reporting.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For anyone who spends considerable time behind the wheel, these small improvements can make the vehicle feel more functional and pleasant to use.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of functional
Adjective
  • More research is needed to better understand the connection between creatine and cognition; but the supplement may be beneficial for brain health, particularly in older adults and for issues related to sleep deprivation.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But Helland said such undertakings, while potentially beneficial, were voluntary on the part of the cities.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of beneficial
Adjective
  • Honorable rebels take a stand, work, and sacrifice, even against self-interest to bravely bring about something other than the chaos that naturally exists without applied effort to create something good.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • These measurements are then used by the motion-control system to adjust the arm’s position and applied forces.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of applied
Adjective
  • County Judge Tim O'Hare said the change exceeds the statutory minimum for voting centers, and said that some locations were changed due to buildings no longer being operable and ADA requirements.
    — CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Crucially, however, there's an egress window in here, so it can also be used as a guest sleeping area (operable windows are required for tiny house loft bedrooms in most areas).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of operable

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used up
useful
usefulness
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Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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