TOOLS Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

tools 1 of 2

noun

plural of tool

as in devices

an article intended for use in work needed a special tool to open the case of the appliance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in pawns

one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another a ruthless leader using his trusting followers as tools in his quest for power

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in suckers

one who is easily deceived or cheated you're just a pathetic tool of the advertising industry if you believe everything you see in TV commercials

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tools

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tool

as in drives

to travel by a motorized vehicle I spent some time tooling around town today

Synonyms & Similar 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 tools

Noun

These tools can support both dynamic and personalized pricing. — Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Those tools include apps that allow individuals to receive cash in between paychecks and are costing them hundreds of dollars each year in fees, according to a recent report. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 The average American still may have reservations about handing over tasks to AI tools, at least when money is involved. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026 The governor has declared that she is committed to using all the tools available to confront the energy affordability crisis. — Liz Krueger, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 Investors pursuing more complex, advanced strategies, on the other hand, may be looking for in-depth market analysis and monitoring and analysis tools. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026 DerOhannesian said James will have a few extra tools at her disposal in this investigation. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026 Compatible Galaxy phones use Galaxy AI Photo Assist, which includes tools for moving, removing and adding objects in a photo. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Concerns about the future of the software development career are well-founded, and intensified as companies adopted AI-powered coding tools, especially as those tools keep getting better. — Corynn Winston, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

Verb

Even most CEOs don’t have a full picture of which AI tools their teams are using. — Phil Portman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Liccardo asked Atkins whether the SEC has opened an investigation into the trades, and what tools the SEC has to investigate them. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026 There is also the chance that the AI tools misunderstood meanings or context, the researchers noted. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 Building on the buzz surrounding Ouai, Atkin founded Mane, a hair tools brand this time, in 2023. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026 Guests staying at the Beach Club have indulgent perks like a complimentary 15-minute ride on the adorable Sorbetto Fiat boat that tools around Lake Boca. — Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025 Other introspective angles are explored during Mariano’s audiences with his friend the Pope (Rufin Doh Zeyenouin), a serene Black man with a head crowned by a bundle of silver dreads, who tools around the Vatican on a motorbike. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tools

Noun

These devices allow consumers to access movies, television series, live sports broadcasts and other content without authorization from copyright holders.

— Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
No additional shots were fired after police arrived, Lorah said, adding that sounds later mistaken for gunfire came from flash-bang devices used by SWAT officers.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of devices

Noun

Ownership is not in bankruptcy, is contesting the foreclosure in court, has offered the lender any and every constructive solution, but will not allow these tenants to be further used as pawns.

— Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Melton was a Mountain West All-Academic pick who today is an avid chess player, moving pawns on his phone or going toe-to-toe with Justin Verlander in the middle of the clubhouse.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pawns

Noun

The theory seems to be that there will always be another crop of suckers willing to pump money into the ecosystem, so the market will provide.

— Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
More suckers may continue to appear for several years unless the stump is ground up or treated with tree stump killer.

— Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of suckers

Verb

The ability for employees to find the best opportunities for themselves and for employers to find the best candidates for the job help to drive innovation, which drives productivity, which drives growth, Richardson has said.

— Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Oscar drives her home and, paralyzed by the situation, leaves her unconscious at her family’s door.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drives

Noun

As financial markets have become more accessible, consumers have begun trading sophisticated financial instruments, purchasing fractional shares and gaining exposure to alternative assets in minutes.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
But a few minutes into the first half, the music stopped, the band put its instruments away and those same rowdy fans walked out on their team.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of instruments

Noun

The entry is paired with a suite of portraits of a number of Black men and women wearing MooreWraps, versatile multi-wear garments created by Moore’s sister with proceeds donated to victims of domestic violence and incarceration.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Authorities have not publicly identified the shooter or the victims, but Lorah said the gunman was related to seven of the eight people killed.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of victims

Browse Nearby Words

tooling

tools

toom

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tools.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tools. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tools

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes