UTILITY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

utility 1 of 2

noun

yü-ˈti-lə-tē

Definition of utility

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

Ford's cargo van is clearly designed with daily utility in mind for drivers who need lots of cargo space and haul heavy objects. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Shift toward utility-scale plants The current submissions represent a shift toward utility-scale plants exceeding 100 megawatts on single bodies of water. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 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

Noun

Even if the limb could be spared, its future usefulness was doubtful.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
In the past year or two, in the interest of sustainability and recognizing its usefulness, customers have been seeking glass items to add to their collections.

— Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of usefulness

Adjective

Six other co-conspirators who bought remains from Lodge have also pleaded guilty and received sentences.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Cities and smaller communities across the country are competing for remote workers with thousands of dollars in cash, housing assistance, coworking memberships, and other perks designed to make relocating a little easier.

— Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of other

Noun

There are several suburbs, including Itasca and Joliet, that have ongoing police investigations into officers accused of misusing Flock cameras for personal use.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
As Vogue Business reported last year, brands were quick to adjust their playbooks as GLP-1 use became increasingly widespread.

— Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of use

Adjective

For those familiar with the book or movie, the musical brings a different experience to the familiar story.

— Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
A lot of the issues revolved around who exactly represented Diomandé at different times of his career, with legal cases slowing down proceedings.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of different

Noun

For decades, Washington strove to align perceptions across theaters, to little avail.

— Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of avail

Adjective

Trade routes such as the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia depend on export via tankers in the Red Sea, some analysts said, meaning any potential escalation of fighting in that area could shut off its viability as an alternative trade route.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
With Hojbjerg seemingly having turned Newcastle down and Palhinha appearing likely to move elsewhere, Ross Wilson, the club’s sporting director, is exploring alternative midfield options.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternative

Adjective

Ukrainian authorities recovered Berezovska’s body three days later, having been led to her makeshift grave by Reut after he was tracked down by investigators.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, above ground, Scott Fox had joined the rescue effort, despite having retired nine months earlier from Rescue 5, as the FDNY formed makeshift companies out of surviving firefighters.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of makeshift

Adjective

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later told PEOPLE that Hickerson was arrested in two separate incidents in August 2025.

— Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Across the 10 seasons PSR was in operation from 2015-16 onwards, our calculations turned up 40 separate instances of SCR excesses.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian

utility

utilizable

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Style

“Utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utility. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of utility

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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