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 The polling serves as a useful road map for how Democrats in both chambers plan to keep talking about the legislation over the next two years. Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 June 2025 But for the Trump administration, Harvard is a more useful target than Columbia. Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 5 June 2025 And the nanolithography system ultimately has a more useful purpose – developing a new generation of computing devices. New Atlas, 4 June 2025 To turn these systems into useful applications like chatbots, engineers employ a training process called reinforcement learning. Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
  • As a clinical psychology researcher in training, my goal is to recruit a wide range of individuals into our studies to make our findings more applicable to all.
    Samantha N. Melendez, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
  • An applicable passenger vehicle for the tax break also would include all-terrain vehicles and recreational vehicles, if their final assembly took place in the United States.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • According to a report published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) last year, total spend in the sector generated a total $421 billion and $119 billion in tax revenue in 2022, the most recent year in which full data was available.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 June 2025
  • The film will be available on several digital platforms including Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Microsoft, Movies Anywhere, Prime Video and YouTube.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • This feature can be extremely helpful in extending insights use cases and getting stakeholders to embrace research as part of their business.
    Erin Tavgac, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The following are generally considered some of the least helpful foods for Crohn's disease.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Here are a few practical tips: When trying to use your phone, text – don't call.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 8 June 2025
  • The gun industry also disputed Mexico’s argument that manufacturers deliberately produce military-style assault rifles and other weapons that, for both practical and aesthetic reasons, appeal to mobsters.
    Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Partner Edward M. Cook brings a unique, relatable perspective on how to create functional boards from groups of highly accomplished individuals.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 5 June 2025
  • On both aesthetic and functional levels, the mask also adds to the intensity.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Working directly with an outside expert may be beneficial.
    Simon Dae Oong Kim, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Finding the right probiotic Paul and her colleagues have spent over six years investigating whether beneficial microorganisms (aka probiotics) could be a longer lasting alternative to combat this pathogen.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Latin root of compliance means a physical response to force—what happens to a bodily organ under applied pressure.
    Zoe Roth April 30, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Jain: That’s a powerful example of applied storytelling.
    Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Axiom is targeting as early as 2027 for the launch of its first station module, which will initially attach to the ISS before additional modules can provide the power and life support needed for the private station to be independently operable.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 May 2025
  • Also, in many developing countries, operable blindness is still far too common.
    Moby Kazmi, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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