as in useful
capable of being put to use or account
She found his theories utilitarian in constructing her own.
of, relating to, or being a method of computer programming in which each step of the solution to a problem is contained in a separate subprogram
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Recent Examples of utilitarian
Instead, opt for an anorak with a utilitarian feel (and will keep you warm on cooler fall days) and plenty of pockets to hold smaller items like tissues, headphones, hand sanitizer, and lip gloss.
—
Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
The overall impact leaves even a coffee utilitarian like me giddy.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
The space was as vast as an airplane hangar, at once utilitarian and fanciful—a Bed Bath & Beyond stockroom crossed with a cabinet of curiosities.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Nothing fancy, affordable and utilitarian.
—Laura Lane, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for utilitarian
Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
The overall impact leaves even a coffee utilitarian like me giddy.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
The space was as vast as an airplane hangar, at once utilitarian and fanciful—a Bed Bath & Beyond stockroom crossed with a cabinet of curiosities.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
Nothing fancy, affordable and utilitarian.
—Laura Lane, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for utilitarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utilitarian
Adjective
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Many event producers often receive severe verbal abuse on social media when elements of an event go wrong, an experience Wendel says was not necessarily pleasant, but ultimately useful.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
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Apollo’s entry is useful for the massive €800m ‘Sports City’ currently being built on land the club owns surrounding the Metropolitano, including a new training ground for Diego Simeone’s first team, and public facilities for golf, padel and skating, and Europe’s largest inland surfing centre.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Industry pushback and innovation concerns Some tech companies argue that such regulation could stifle innovation, limit beneficial uses of conversational AI (education, mental-health support for older teens) or impose heavy compliance burdens.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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However, most are weaker and can deliver beneficial precipitation to water supplies, according to NOAA.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Utilitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utilitarian. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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