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

The moment a website tells you to open Terminal, PowerShell or another system utility and paste an unfamiliar command, stop. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The money, typically $1,000 each, could go toward something important to a student’s life, such as utility bills or a new laptop. — Sacbee.com, 23 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

Noun

So, despite being able to produce large numbers of the robots, key issues with task learning still limit their usefulness.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of usefulness

Adjective

And Starship will have other hurdles to clear as well, even if today's flight goes perfectly.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
The film is up for Video of the Year, as well as a swath of other categories including Best Direction, Cinematography, and Choreography.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of other

Noun

Potential uses include disaster relief and surveillance The first DARPA Lift Challenge attracted around 480 concept submissions, with 110 teams invited to compete.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
More specifically, ask yourself how your technology use is helping or hurting your social life.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of use

Adjective

The researchers also demonstrated communication across different parts of the body, including devices positioned deep inside the stomach.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
More information may reveal that the situation is smaller, different, or less yours than expected.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 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

The protesters have been demanding stronger protections for tenants, measures to combat fraud and a ban on evictions when alternative housing is unavailable.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Reeves formed the alternative-rock trio — completed by vocalist-guitarist Bret Domrose and drummer-actor Robert Mailhouse — in Los Angeles in the early 1990s, and the group has drawn on the same post-punk lineage Hook helped define.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of alternative

Adjective

The Wildcats thumped Colorado last Saturday in their final game at the makeshift facility, banked along Lake Michigan, that has served as the team’s temporary home for the last two years.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Two of the usual product tills were transformed into makeshift vanities for about a dozen beauty lovers to test an assortment of serums and creams.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of makeshift

Adjective

Continue making your routine purchases on a separate card, but don’t feel the need to spend just because your credit limit got larger.

— Ryley Amond, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
The club was 6-for-9 with RISP and scored at least two runs in four separate innings.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian

utility

utilizable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utility. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of utility

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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