as in use
the capacity for being useful for some purpose
the well-known usefulness of thick phone books as seat boosters for short diners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 usefulness
Saudi Arabia is also proving its usefulness as a US ally.
—
Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
But its usefulness was short-lived at best and should have been replaced with a better way to evaluate job seekers long ago.
—Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
The jail was coming to an end of its usefulness and would be replaced in just three years.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Moreover, as a bonus, the fermentation process produced methane—an energy-rich gas that could be captured and used as fuel, adding another layer of usefulness to the system.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usefulness
Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
But its usefulness was short-lived at best and should have been replaced with a better way to evaluate job seekers long ago.
—Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
The jail was coming to an end of its usefulness and would be replaced in just three years.
—Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Moreover, as a bonus, the fermentation process produced methane—an energy-rich gas that could be captured and used as fuel, adding another layer of usefulness to the system.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for usefulness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usefulness
Noun
-
Detectives booked Avon Owens, 18, and another unidentified 18-year-old for murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a murder on April 10, 2026.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Elegant folding design for easy storage in bags, backpacks or purses with a lightweight yet durable frame for everyday use.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On the opposite side is the High Commissioner’s thoughtful, compassionate secretary, Thomas Hopkins (Billy Howle), who is sympathetic to the Palestinians’ plight and tries to advise them at every step, to little avail.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The child appeared to struggle communicating with his sibling and mother, while his brother repeatedly tried to give directions to him in Spanish with little avail.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More than 43,000 customers lost power in Illinois but power was restored to almost all of them by Saturday night, according to electric utility ComEd.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
-
New York has taken a different approach, and ordinary New Yorkers are paying the price every month through their utility bills.—
Nicole Malliotakis,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Usefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usefulness. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
