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

Relevance

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

The basket spans consumer staples, real estate, health care, financials and utilities sectors. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026 Kyiv's water utility company said later that the city's supplies had been restored, while Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said emergency energy shutdowns in Kyiv ended after repair teams stabilized the system. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 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

But the quality and usefulness of those answers depend greatly on the questions and instructions given.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Their usefulness depends on the quality of the underlying data, the accuracy of their models, and how well those models represent real-world conditions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of usefulness

Adjective

The University of Washington chapter of Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return, or SUPER UW, spearheaded a May 2024 encampment at the Seattle campus with other groups, according to reports and SUPER UW’s statements.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Nov. 2026
They were photographed together both at a bar with other suppliers and then also out to dinner with some other executives.

— Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of other

Noun

The task force also recommends developing alternative response models that prioritize mental health professionals over police in appropriate situations, along with requiring less-lethal tools, training and clear use-of-force policies.

— CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Flying cars arrive XPeng plans to introduce its two-seat flying vehicle for limited commercial use in the second half of 2027.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of use

Adjective

Its ability to clean floors, walls, waterlines and slopes gives it versatility across different cleaning requirements, while the dual filtration system and large debris basket support longer cleaning sessions.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
He was considered odd, super-smart with a photographic memory, and yet different.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of different

Adjective

The task force also recommends developing alternative response models that prioritize mental health professionals over police in appropriate situations, along with requiring less-lethal tools, training and clear use-of-force policies.

— CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
The Planning and Land Use Management Committee instructed the city Planning Department in October 2025 to explore alternative price points for appeals that would decrease the amount of money the city’s general fund would have to subsidize.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of alternative

Adjective

Fans left flowers in a makeshift shrine outside Tenerife’s stadium.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
On Saturday, while the rain poured down outside, Marge Simpson in yellow body paint and Carrie Bradshaw with McDonald’s bag in hand (Big is moving to Paris) strutted down a makeshift runway at the new Public Hotel in West Hollywood.

— Meka Boyle, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of makeshift

Adjective

But Calvo, who was then running for mayor, personally contributed two separate $395 donations to help pay for her campaign door hangers, according to public records.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
For the first 30 years, UT would receive at least 3% of revenues from both developments above $25 million, subject to separate revenue caps of $30 million for the entertainment district and $40 million for the condominium hotel.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian

utility

utilizable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utility. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of utility

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on utility

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

valorous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes