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 Giving batteries second life EV batteries can lose the capacity needed for driving without becoming useless. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Translating The Vision A founder’s vision is directionally right but operationally useless in its raw form. — Ken Paskins, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 RoboTena’s useless arms were being dismantled on the warehouse floor. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Cook rushed for 111 yards before his latest fumbling woes for the Bills, while Allen got more than 100 of his yards rushing on scrambles, repeatedly escaping the pocket and rendering useless the Rams’ tenacious secondary coverage. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for useless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useless
  1. impractical
  2. futile
  3. unusable
  4. unsuccessful
  5. unsuitable
Adjective
  • Also, many families of rare disease patients spend years creating databases, known as natural history studies, so they can be used as control groups in trials instead of giving patients a placebo, which is often impractical and unethical.
    — Gerry Smith, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Texas law requires elementary schools to provide at least 30 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, which can be cut to 27 minutes per day if scheduling makes the full amount impractical.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of impractical
Adjective
  • This meant that the negotiating parties had reached a deadlock beyond which further discussion would be futile.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Adelaide’s music had become an argument, however futile, with finality.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of futile
Adjective
  • Predicted in the 1970s by NASA physicist Donald Kessler, this chain of orbital smashups could make the space around Earth unusable and unsafe.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Shows promise in testing This technology turns unusable, high-arsenic copper into valuable inventory, creating new revenue and cutting operating costs.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of unusable
Adjective
  • Dean Riley, 62, was pronounced dead at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, according to the coroner’s office.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • While not all lawsuits filed against small businesses are valid, even an unsuccessful lawsuit can cause major business disruptions and result in costly legal fees.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.
    — Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.
    — Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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