1
as in applicable
capable of being put to use or account
useful suggestions for limiting the amount of food we eat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Down the Drain In 1973, Steve Blass was an extremely successful and useful big-league pitcher.
—
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Could prove revolutionary for photonics This new material could be very useful in things like photonics, where computing and devices that use light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) are used.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
The website will also give you alerts as to when a particular piece is low in stock, which is always useful!
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
An extra help is lip pencil, which can be useful to outline the contour of the mouth and avoid smudging.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for useful
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Could prove revolutionary for photonics This new material could be very useful in things like photonics, where computing and devices that use light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) are used.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
The website will also give you alerts as to when a particular piece is low in stock, which is always useful!
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
An extra help is lip pencil, which can be useful to outline the contour of the mouth and avoid smudging.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
-
But, more importantly, is the fact that Tactics‘ message feels more applicable to life in America than any other game this year.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Anyone, whether student or member of the public, interested in attending must provide their full name, contact information, zip code, state, and the name of the school, if applicable.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As a result, a flurry of drinks, vapes, edibles, and smokable buds — many with the potential to get users high — are now widely available on store shelves across Wisconsin.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
No toilet seat available and the lid to the water tank is missing.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Flushing the eye with a sterile saline solution, making sure to get under your eyelids, can be helpful.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
While many of the messages were thoughtful and genuinely helpful, some ended up adding to the stress of an already uncertain situation.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Playful and practical John and Catherine’s grandchildren also have their own suite, though Catherine and Justice made the design choices for them.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Why not put all those periods of training camp work to practical use?—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The front boasts two functional pockets, and it’s fitted with both zippers and snaps to keep out the cold.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Your hoodie should feature functional, deep pockets that can accommodate chilly hands or your wallet and keys.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If your microbiome is unbalanced between beneficial and harmful microbes, probiotics can help introduce healthy microbes back into your body.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With a PhD in applied physics from Columbia, Ranade said that in his time as a student, most of his classmates either were in finance or major tech companies like Google or Meta.—
Aman Kidwai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
That includes providing students with applied and work-based learning experiences in high school, as well as career exposure and exploration opportunities that begin in age-appropriate ways in middle school.—
Matt Gandal,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
According to a report by the US Energy Information Administration, Russia has a total of 36 operable nuclear reactors with a capacity of 27 gigawatts.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Approved by voters hoodwinked by false cost estimates, the project was supposed to be operable by 2020 at a cost of $33 billion.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share