USE Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'use' contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use . While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end. // willing to use any means to achieve her ends

Q: Where would 'employ' be a reasonable alternative to 'use'?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged. // looking for better ways to employ their skills

Q: When is it sensible to use 'utilize' instead of 'use'?

While in some cases nearly identical to use , utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something. // an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

use 1 of 2

verb

ˈyüz

Definition of use

as in to utilize

to put into action or service I will need to use the large hammer for this project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers

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as in to exploit

to take unfair advantage of I was paying for everything on our little outing, and I was starting to feel like I was being used

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use

2 of 2

noun

ˈyüs

as in application

the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose the use of boom boxes is strictly prohibited in the park

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in usefulness

the capacity for being useful for some purpose the broken grill isn't going to be of much use in cooking the hamburgers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in liking

positive regard for something I have no use for slackers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb use contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use. While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

Where would employ be a reasonable alternative to use?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of use?

While in some cases nearly identical to use, utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

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 use

Verb

If your couch cushions are sagging and the springs are worn, use this 62%-off sofa deal as an excuse to upgrade ahead of hosting season. — Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026 Nearly three-quarters of Google Cloud customers are already using its AI products, and Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian told CNBC that those customers are spending about 50% more than their original commitments. — Mackenzie Sigalos,drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

Recurring use of the same sources should spark additional conversation between reporter and editor about the nature of the source relationship. — Mike Semel, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The other requires local water providers to determine whether the water use of large data centers — for cooling of spaces filled with heat-emitting servers — is compatible with the local water supply. — Des Moines Register, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for use

Recent Examples of Synonyms for use

Verb

This looks like their feedback actually being utilized, their offers getting more personalized and their rewards becoming more tailored.

— Zsuzsa Kecsmar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Columbia Sportswear utilizes proprietary Omni-Freez Zero technology, which uses special polymer rings embedded in the fabric that react with sweat to pull heat away from the body.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of utilize

Verb

Car parts, for example, are generally treated like other goods from China despite ongoing tensions over the country’s fast-growing auto sector.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Dark circles are the anchor of tired girl makeup, treated as a feature to style rather than a flaw to cover.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of treat

Verb

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a new processor attack that can bypass defenses in Intel and AMD chips by exploiting a security gap lasting only a handful of instructions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Other Surrealists, meanwhile, seemed to take from animals a license to exploit other (generally female) bodies, as in Clovis Trouille’sJustine(1937), in which both a naked female figure and a lion are bound and captive.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of exploit

Noun

In simple terms, the cell can store more energy for its weight and size, an advantage for electric vehicles and other applications where battery space is limited.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District upheld Yust’s convictions in August 2023, and the Missouri Supreme Court later denied his application to transfer the case for review.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of application

Noun

But, as jurors learned, the confusion surrounding the existence of the proffer and the usefulness of an interview led to the decision not to prosecute at the time.

— John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
The unit of value becomes the workflow, because an agent's usefulness comes from executing multistep processes across systems.

— Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of usefulness

Verb

Loading silverware handles down and usable ends up ensures maximum cleanliness but may lead to accidents.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
Sánchez is facing mounting scrutiny amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where the flood of thousands of migrants has angered residents in the tiny community, which is ill-equipped to handle such an influx.

— Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of handle

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“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of use

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