utility 1 of 2

noun

yü-ˈti-lə-tē How to pronounce utility (audio)
Definition of utilitynext
as in usefulness
the capacity for being useful for some purpose the store specializes in gee-whiz gadgetry of dubious utility

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

utility

2 of 2

adjective

as in other

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 utility
Noun
What used to be a premium technology is increasingly becoming a tool for cost control, allowing governments and utilities to manage peak demand, avoid infrastructure upgrades, and stabilize energy costs. — Alan Byrd, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 According to the utility, the surveillance video shows Gocaj parking her car near the manhole about 12 minutes after a multiaxle truck appears to dislodge the cover. — David K. Li, NBC news, 17 July 2026
Adjective
The Rays were also at the forefront of other innovations and/or adjustments, such as defensive shifts, lineup platoons, matchup bullpens, star-quality super-utility players and putting a numbers nerd (technically a process and analytics coach) in the dugout. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Heriberto Hernandez and super-utility player Javier Sanoja were the only right-handed hitters who could see steady time in the outfield. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for utility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for utility
  1. usefulness
  2. other
  3. use
  4. different
  5. avail
  6. alternative
  7. makeshift
  8. separate
Noun
  • Their focus is on speed, reusability and homegrown security rather than payload, limiting their usefulness for the military.
    — Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • But even though the company had quickly grown into a market leader, Bensamoun kept hearing customers complain about the device's usefulness.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of usefulness
Adjective
  • The latest in Houston Salgado Araujo, 52, was driving to work with three other construction crew members when unmarked vehicles carrying federal agents began following his van, his family said.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • To celebrate 25 years of her career in the music industry, and debut album The Spirit Room, the singer-songwriter has announced Everywhere and Back Again, an EP of some of her biggest hits that have been reimagined by other artists.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Definition of other
Noun
  • The new law also now requires any presumptive large-scale data center to receive a public hearing from its local water management district before the district can issue a water use permit.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of use
Adjective
  • But Scheft and his team are mastering the subtle differences and plan to offer many of the same loaves available in Boston, though the bakeries will have a few different offerings.
    — Connie Ogle July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • One venomous species may produce hundreds of distinct molecules, each assigned to different biological dirty work.
    — Steve Midway, STAT, 16 July 2026
Definition of different
Noun
  • After that, when the impossibility of recovering anyone else became clear, Al-Zaharnah and others kept hoping international organizations would convince Israel to allow more construction equipment, but to little avail.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Ronaldo tried a bicycle kick on the rebound, to no avail.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026
Definition of avail
Adjective
  • Your confirmation bias prevents deeper consideration as well as the possibility of alternative positive outcomes.
    — Susan MacKenty Brady, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar retain heavy exposure to the waterway, while alternative pipelines cannot absorb all the crude and liquefied natural gas that would be stranded in a prolonged closure.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • Eileen Tyrrell, a 27-year-old bookseller, pulled the cushions off her couch to arrange makeshift seating in her Brooklyn apartment.
    — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • In the clip, Honey is seen sitting on Jenner’s lap on a boat together and jumping into a makeshift pool on the beach as Jenner watches her.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • That convergence is drawing together businesses that once occupied separate corners of the market, from consumer staples companies selling food to biotech firms developing medicines and veterinary providers offering increasingly sophisticated care.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • The consignor was later identified as an accomplice in a separate auction fraud case in Hebei province.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian
utility
utilizable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utility. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on utility

Nglish: Translation of utility for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about utility

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