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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

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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
On the apparel front, a Ballistic Tech Vest harkens back to ’90s utility gear, while Gore-Tex rears its head again on a circa-2000 Mountain Jacket with seam seals and another shell that reaches full length. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 The cash generation is driven by negative working capital dynamics, recurring utility billings, and minimal asset obsolescence. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 15 Sep. 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
  • Colleges and universities reconsider the SAT Because of concerns about the usefulness of the SAT in college admissions, around 2000 about 280 colleges and universities moved to make the SAT an optional part of the admissions process.
    — Beth Kania-Gosche, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Now, a group from Stanford University has found a way to advance their usefulness for studying brain development and disease — by instead growing them inside mice that have had large parts of their own brains genetically removed.
    — Megan Molteni, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of usefulness
Adjective
  • In other cases, Virginia prosecutors have previously brought their own expert witnesses to counter an insanity defense at trials or even disputed the claims without their own expert, according to reports and court records.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Even though the analysis adjusted for several potential confounding factors, other unmeasured factors could still contribute to the observed relationship.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of other
Noun
  • Their furrows reminded me of Rembrandt’s paintings of old men, brows carved deep by hard use and long years.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of concentrating thousands of visitors into just a few months, wildlife disturbance and trail use are distributed more evenly throughout the year, allowing nature to regenerate and rest more, well, naturally.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of use
Adjective
  • All onshore experiences are locally guided, offered in small groups, and scaled to different activity levels.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The correspondence helped convince Anders, who fled the Nazis for American exile in 1936, that different kinds of evil cause different kinds of harm.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 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
  • As the lake dries, the ruins of one of 11 villages that had been inundated by the reservoir have emerged, as alarm grows over the need for alternative water supplies for the city of 42 million.
    — EDNA TARIGAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Researchers have been looking for alternative approaches that can deliver the power densities of lithium-ion batteries at a fraction of the cost, while maintaining performance characteristics.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of alternative
Adjective
  • Abdel Gelil is now sheltering with family in the southwestern city of Taiz, while others are sleeping in the streets or erecting makeshift tents out of plastic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Quigley's garage is a makeshift studio, and the piano is her canvas.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of makeshift
Adjective
  • Networked pods can use observations from separate aircraft to improve that estimate.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Fairfield Animal Control officers have issued a warning to residents urging caution following two separate incidents involving coyotes in the Catamount Road and Fencerow Drive areas.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian
utility
utilizable
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Cite this Entry

“Utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utility. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on utility

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about utility

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