worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs How to pronounce worthless (audio)
Synonyms of worthlessnext
1
a
: lacking worth : valueless
worthless currency
b
: useless
worthless to continue searching
2
: contemptible, despicable
a worthless criminal
worthlessly adverb
worthlessness noun

Synonyms of worthless

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Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you. She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Speed is now free, which means, for the first time in history, speed is worthless. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless. — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026 But a few years back, collectors were paying up to tens of millions for now-worthless NFTs, so the value of anything in the art collectibles world is arguably whatever somebody is willing to pay. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 Some do indeed help their practitioners, but dozens, perhaps hundreds, more sell worthless self-help through seminars or on the internet. — Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worthless

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of worthless was circa 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Worth, Lake
worthless
worth one's salt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worthless. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

worthless

adjective
worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs How to pronounce worthless (audio)
1
a
: lacking worth : valueless
b
: useless
worthless to continue searching
2
: deserving of hatred or pity
a worthless coward
worthlessly adverb
worthlessness noun
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