1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Specific strains are more common and may be more useful for certain health conditions. Kirstyn Hill, Health, 27 Oct. 2025 Those experiences add up to a useful player, but not a master of any one role. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025 These are still a delicious and useful way to flavor dishes or use as a garnish. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025 Background on Argentina’s politics and its ag sector is useful. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
  • Furthermore, by leveraging graphene’s unique electrical and surface properties, researchers can design sensors that maintain high accuracy and consistent performance under demanding conditions, paving the way for more dependable, versatile, and widely applicable lithium detection tools.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
  • While the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends eyewear meet American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) F3164 safety standards – which is applicable to other racquet sports – adoption remains low in pickleball.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For a cozy addition, snag this boucle swivel armchair that’s available in five colors and an upholstered bed frame with hidden storage drawers.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Grander residences are also available to rent; a few of the 10 are owned by boldface names like Donna Karan.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Those experiences make you uniquely you and skills in other areas can be relevant and helpful.
    Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Act now to not miss out on these Amazon outlet deals on timeless clothing items, comfortable shoes, durable luggage, and helpful travel accessories, all for $50 or less.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Temple Street 3-Tier Shelf with Cabinet Pottery Barn’s Temple Street Shelf offers a polished, practical storage solution for any room that needs a little extra organization.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2025
  • To that end, Beam will also offer practical training sessions and workshops that allow production companies and other entertainment business to better migrate members of their teams to digital workflows.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lastly, movement is also reimagined — from high-intensity sprint clinics to high-intensity interval training collaborations, to functional pilates and treks.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • New reactor-safe chips Nuclear engineers rely on sensors for feedback on whether the reactors are safe to operate and functional.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Not even necessarily for the beneficial bullpen vibes, though those wouldn’t hurt.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The future of nuclear energy will require much more philanthropic engagement to ensure that this next wave of development is safe, secure, and globally beneficial.
    Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 Nobel Prize for physics recognizes original investigations in the intersection of basic and applied sciences.
    Zhixin Wang, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Moving beyond the theory of the market, those skilled in applied finance understand how to make practical decisions in financial spaces.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s also greater enforcement of encampment and parking rules; the vehicles need to be operable, have up-to-date registration and move every 72 hours.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Under local law, even inoperable or replica weapons are considered potentially operable if they can be modified to fire, placing them under the same strict legal framework.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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