1
as in impractical
not capable of being put to use or account
a garage full of useless junk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in futile
producing no results
a useless attempt to reach an agreement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of useless
This is not to say all the full coverage formulas in your makeup bag are now useless—there’s a time and place for everything.
—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
This playful fourish, although useless in terms of timekeeping, requires 200 of the 646 components in the watch and two engineers had to work simultaneously to ensure the face shield and the movement operated in harmony.
—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
Preliminary tests of the model conducted by NBC News, along with many examples shared on social media, found Anthropic’s protections took a broad view of potential suspicious activity, rendering the system useless for many mundane queries.
—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Resident Raymond Hanley said his concern is that anti-pollution systems that Silverman would install in its parking lots and roadways could become useless if property maintenance is cut back in the future.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for useless
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
This playful fourish, although useless in terms of timekeeping, requires 200 of the 646 components in the watch and two engineers had to work simultaneously to ensure the face shield and the movement operated in harmony.
—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
Preliminary tests of the model conducted by NBC News, along with many examples shared on social media, found Anthropic’s protections took a broad view of potential suspicious activity, rendering the system useless for many mundane queries.
—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Resident Raymond Hanley said his concern is that anti-pollution systems that Silverman would install in its parking lots and roadways could become useless if property maintenance is cut back in the future.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for useless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useless
Adjective
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The firm at one earlier point had reportedly offered a service to screen against low intelligence in human embryos, which is a highly controversial and perhaps impractical idea.
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Pretty, functional storage solutions are the perfect antidote to impractical minimalism.
Adjective
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Fahd, cradling his bloodied baby, pressing his hand to Sam’s head in a futile attempt to staunch the bleeding.
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The suit recounts the rapid deterioration — and futile attempts to salvage — what for a long time had been a mutually beneficial professional and artistic partnership.
Adjective
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The fire destroyed the post office lobby, which remains unusable, prosecutors said.
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Early tests of the system's effect on redistricting data raised alarm among many data users, who feared that the statistics would ultimately be unusable.
Adjective
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More than a decade ago, her association sought the same change at the federal level and was unsuccessful — opposed at the time by Wine Institute.
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The city had taken it over, but several attempts at renovation were unsuccessful, until Alan Leventhal, chief executive of Beacon Capital Partners, happened to see the building and envisioned it as a great hotel.
Adjective
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In 2023 the agency documented signs of stress in sloths during public encounters, improper handling of a juvenile kangaroo and environmental conditions deemed unsuitable for a sloth’s care.
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As a result of the unsuitable conditions, Stevie was starving and dehydrated.
Cite this Entry
“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useless. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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