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 Simply put, the satellite connection would allow Russian operators to steer drones and missiles directly, rendering useless the electronic-warfare network Ukraine has built across the country to jam them. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 But without a realistic training environment, the training and testing becomes useless. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 The frame of the Universal Wawona 3 tent comes together with three poles of the same size, eliminating the need for designers to use color coding that would be useless to the visually impaired to signal which pole goes where. — Rae Witte, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Giving batteries second life EV batteries can lose the capacity needed for driving without becoming useless. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 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
  • The move is meant to counter return scams and reduce unusable inventory, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In healthcare and pharmaceutical supply chains, drug products become unusable after expiration dates are reached.
    — Santanu Boral, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of unusable
Adjective
  • Political horse-trading among Jewish parties to form a ruling coalition could take several months and, if unsuccessful, lead to a new election.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Oct. 2026
  • At 18, Olivia Madden has been forced to move from London with her father, Peter, an unsuccessful, poor actor, and his companion, Martin, a World War I veteran.
    — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • The Bears have said previously that they are focused on pursuing a $2 billion stadium across the state line in Hammond or in suburban Arlington Heights, and that the Rate Field site was unsuitable, citing in part its limited size.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The combination of leverage, daily resets, volatility, financing costs and higher expense ratios can make these products unsuitable as long-term buy-and-hold investments.
    — Daniel Kern, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsuitable

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useless
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Cite this Entry

“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useless. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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