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
The options are utilities and bills, groceries, gas, travel and more. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 Recognized for fire safety, thermal stability, and prolonged operating life, LFP cells have quickly become the gold standard for utility-scale grid installations. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 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
  1. usefulness
  2. other
  3. use
  4. different
  5. avail
  6. alternative
  7. makeshift
  8. separate
Noun
  • Picky Miss Manners is not quite happy that any submitted so far would pass her test for usefulness.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Today’s class of Arab comics agrees that this mode of comedy, while necessary at the time, has outlived its usefulness.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of usefulness
Adjective
  • In a news release shared Tuesday, Verizon said that service interruptions affected people across Los Angeles County and other parts of the region after vandals cut multiple fiber cables.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Since Covid-19, average revenues among the ‘Big Six’ have increased by £189million, more than three times the increase at other Premier League clubs.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of other
Noun
  • But after the single-component shots came into use, infections there began to rise.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The former home of Belden had a commercial use in recent years and idled for six years before being acquired by his group.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of use
Adjective
  • With Taylor trying to show different looks on offense, Burrow was under center on the first four plays and seven overall.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Many different clubs have considered moves for the rangy midfielder over the years, and Atletico came closest to signing him in summer 2024.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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
  • One of the alternative routes would reduce the project’s footprint in the Anza-Borrego Desert by about nine miles, and go through the community of Borrego Springs instead.
    — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The shift toward alternative responses for these types of incidents is meaningful, new data shows.
    — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • The makeshift ballpark, which hosted the White Sox and Yankees in 2021 and the Cubs and Reds in 2022, now has permanent locker rooms and suites.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Agent Mulder, hot on the trail of a group of murderers who are harvesting their victims' organs, breaks into a makeshift laboratory in an attempt to save an abducted woman.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • Nvidia is also discussing a separate arrangement involving as much as $350 billion in AI chips for the facility.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Its separate entrance, elevators, and staff have always set it apart from the surrounding casino ecosystem, offering a smoke-free, gaming-free environment with all the brand’s usual service signatures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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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