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useless

adjective

ˈyüs-ləs How to pronounce useless (audio)
Definition of uselessnext
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

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 useless However, this doesn’t mean the devices are completely useless. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026 Leading models aren’t completely useless at handling Cantonese. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Which meant that masks were always going to be useless, as pre-pandemic planning research had already confirmed. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Likewise, politicians who cannot find consensus and pass legislation are useless. — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for useless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useless
  1. impractical
  2. futile
  3. unusable
  4. unsuccessful
  5. unsuitable
Adjective
  • Everyday routines depend on maps, banking, tickets, transit, rideshare and messaging, and completely disconnecting remains impractical for most people.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The denominator includes greater speed, capacity and outputs that were once impractical.
    — Hemant Kapadia, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of impractical
Adjective
  • Before the court fight was launched, Edwin Benn, the arbitrator who oversaw 2023 contract negotiations between the city and FOP, warned the City Council that any attempt to undermine his award to the union would be futile.
    — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of futile
Adjective
  • Founded in 2022, The Alloy Market makes money by either refining unusable materials and taking a cut, or by listing usable items on their online resale marketplace.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
  • That helped the operation keep switching infrastructure as domains became unusable.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of unusable
Adjective
  • Kasdin said, up to now, efforts to negotiate with the residents on Fifth Street have been unsuccessful.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Coulter, Hatten, Jones and McMichales all brought unsuccessful challenges against Wilson during last April’s municipal election.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • Like other foods, bird seed is perishable and will spoil if it’s kept in unsuitable conditions.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Medical supplies and fuel are running short after key supply routes between Mokha and Taiz were largely cut off, forcing convoys onto mountainous roads unsuitable for large trucks.
    — Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsuitable

Browse Nearby Words

usefulness
useless
uselessness
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Cite this Entry

“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useless. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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