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

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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 Answer-First Content Still Matters Google Zero does not make contractor websites useless. — Michael Fox, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Dollars that could have made it to the classroom instead went to useless interest payments. — Jennifer Custer, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 What remains that haven’t been scavenged have decomposed to the point where DNA analysis is difficult and all but useless in Gaza, where there are no functioning laboratories able to test and compare samples. — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 The tech companies soon scrapped the internal tracking after employees deployed the bots to complete useless tasks, the Financial Times reported. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for useless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useless
  1. impractical
  2. futile
  3. unusable
  4. unsuccessful
  5. unsuitable
Adjective
  • For a long time, our leading hypothesis was bullying and violence, but that may be a bit impractical, given their kingdoms are vast networks of tunnels that can stretch for up to three kilometers.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
  • Statement architectural features, like large windows and spiral staircases, are impractical for daily living.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 21 July 2026
Definition of impractical
Adjective
  • The group spent six futile months trying to prompt various artificial intelligence chatbots using Birman’s approach.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
  • Here, though, the entire enterprise is vile, and futile, and irredeemable, made worse by the self-delusion of the people who pursue it.
    — Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
Definition of futile
Adjective
  • Ossie then agrees to tell any of Camille and Robert Sims’s Raiders that his equipment’s busted and unusable.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • There are 10 public showers that have become unusable over time due to misuse by some residents.
    — Julimar Valentina Rivas Perez, NBC news, 24 July 2026
Definition of unusable
Adjective
  • The attack was unsuccessful, as Gwayne jumped to his nephew’s rescue in time, which only resulted in a couple of deaths and Ormund projectile vomiting at the smell.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 July 2026
  • Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Grace Nuñez said that its first responders attempted lifesaving efforts for two patients but were unsuccessful.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 July 2026
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • More than half that land is owned by the district but is unsuitable for farming.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • Planting fruit trees in unsuitable spots may not just produce a poor harvest but could spell disaster for the tree.
    — Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Definition of unsuitable

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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 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on useless

Nglish: Translation of useless for Spanish Speakers

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