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
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Recent Examples of useless
There was something useless about his father, Ivor thought, in a flash of feeling.
—
Anne Enright, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
Secondly, TEs have always been looked at as useless, with no important scientific function even worth investigating.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2025
No fairings, no useless heft – just pure performance.
—New Atlas, 24 July 2025
Infrastructure is useless without operators who can manage it.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for useless
Anne Enright, New Yorker, 27 July 2025
Secondly, TEs have always been looked at as useless, with no important scientific function even worth investigating.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2025
No fairings, no useless heft – just pure performance.
—New Atlas, 24 July 2025
Infrastructure is useless without operators who can manage it.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for useless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useless
Adjective
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In short, in some situations, meeting legal requirements and deploying a drone in advance is impractical and could actually result in a delay in law enforcement response.—
Steve Robson,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Aug. 2025
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Researchers note that due to terrain and cost challenges, large-scale machines are often impractical, prompting research into compact, robotic pruning solutions.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Bodyguard of Lies, an investigation into the United States’ bloody, costly, and ultimately futile war in Afghanistan, will open theatrically for a limited run in New York on September 12, before bowing on the Paramount+ platform on Sept. 23.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
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But given the likely futile nature of the Braves' remaining games at that point, he might unofficially be done for the year.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Bathrooms and kitchens can become unusable, impacting diet and personal hygiene.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
9 Aug. 2025
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The result is documents that look polished but are unusable for assistive technology users.—
Ran Ronen,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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As in the first case, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
18 Aug. 2025
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According to the coroner, the umbilical cord was not cut and an attempt to deliver the placenta at an unknown time the next morning was unsuccessful.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Trump turned instead to the Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, a flagrantly unsuitable choice; Trump’s private lawyer, Boris Epshteyn, encouraged the selection.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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Inadequate performance or products unsuitable for retirement plans can open them to legal ramifications.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useless. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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