Synonyms of useless

useless

adjective

ˈyüs-ləs 

1

as in impractical

not capable of being put to use or account

a garage full of useless junk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impractical
• unusable
• unsuitable
• unworkable
• impracticable
• unserviceable
• inoperable
• unavailable
• inaccessible
• nonpractical
• unobtainable
• inert
• unreachable
• unattainable
• inoperative
• inactive
• idle
• latent
• unrealistic
• fallow
• dormant
• free
• arrested
• interrupted
• suspended
• dead

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• useful
• practical
• feasible
• usable
• functional
• applicable
• operational
• workable
• available
• serviceable
• practicable
• operable
• obtainable
• accessible
• utilizable
• handy
• ultrapractical
• active
• reachable
• procurable
• operating
• busy
• acquirable
• functioning
• operative
• employed
• working
• alive
• running
• all-around

2

as in futile

producing no results

a useless attempt to reach an agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• futile
• unsuccessful
• ineffective
• worthless
• unprofitable
• ineffectual
• in vain
• unavailing
• unproductive
• fruitless
• vain
• impossible
• abortive
• insufficient
• meaningless
• inadequate
• of no avail
• profitless
• empty
• pointless
• barren
• inefficacious
• bootless
• not worth the candle
• valueless
• otiose
• no dice
• hollow
• lost
• hopeless
• idle
• lacking
• unattainable
• counterproductive
• wanting
• no-win

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• effective
• efficient
• successful
• profitable
• productive
• virtuous
• deadly
• fruitful
• worthwhile
• meaningful
• potent
• sufficient
• adequate
• effectual
• efficacious
• practical
• feasible
• functional
• usable
• applicable
• workable
• practicable
• realizable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of useless

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

Of course, these same politicians were nowhere to be found in the past six months of this useless war. — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

People tend to think of waste as trash, sewage, slag, manure and other seemingly useless or disgusting substances. — Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Securing physical materials and open digital networks is useless if capabilities are fielded at the speed of bureaucracy. — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026