useful

adjective

ˈyüs-fəl How to pronounce useful (audio)
Definition of usefulnext
1
as in applicable
capable of being put to use or account useful suggestions for limiting the amount of food we eat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose I've found this tool really useful for making sure all my pictures are hung straight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in helpful
providing service or assistance hopefully, the consultant's financial advice will prove useful in planning for our retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 useful This option prevents being able to use many useful features, though. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 Although control of the House will ultimately be determined in votes for individual candidates in individual congressional districts across the county, the generic House question is a useful barometer. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 These experts help train LinkedIn’s AI model on what authentic, useful posts look like. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 By tonight, the Moon enters Aquarius and your attention turns toward something useful. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
  1. applicable
  2. available
  3. helpful
  4. practical
  5. functional
  6. beneficial
  7. applied
  8. operable
Adjective
  • Tesla still needs to prove the Roadster can be manufactured reliably and meet applicable regulations.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • According to Vertical, the LCR-110 meets applicable EASA and Federal Aviation Administration technical standards for inertial reference equipment.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of applicable
Adjective
  • The system can also help the Army pair missiles with the best available radar, even when that sensor sits outside conventional communication angles.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Reps could not provide information on how much stock is available and for how long.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of available
Adjective
  • The quick start guide is helpful for getting the microwave ready to use, while a more extensive booklet provides the nitty-gritty details on settings and modes like the sophisticated sensor-reheating functions (more on that later).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Subscription creep can sneak up on you, so having a tool that keeps them all in one place can be helpful.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpful
Adjective
  • This is the practical discipline of moving ever onward in the face of ambiguity.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Its experimental results could help determine whether fast-spectrum molten chloride reactors can progress toward practical applications, including future maritime power systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of practical
Adjective
  • Oleshky also has no electricity, gas or running water, and the hospital is barely functional, according to previous Fox News Digital reporting.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For anyone who spends considerable time behind the wheel, these small improvements can make the vehicle feel more functional and pleasant to use.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of functional
Adjective
  • More research is needed to better understand the connection between creatine and cognition; but the supplement may be beneficial for brain health, particularly in older adults and for issues related to sleep deprivation.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But Helland said such undertakings, while potentially beneficial, were voluntary on the part of the cities.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of beneficial
Adjective
  • Its analysis found that 74% of those mentions were tied to real-world projects rather than coursework, an indication students are trying to demonstrate their applied experience.
    — Corynn Winston, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • By combining aluminum’s low weight with a pre-applied coating, the company is targeting a way to make battery components easier to manufacture while meeting durability and insulation requirements.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of applied
Adjective
  • County Judge Tim O'Hare said the change exceeds the statutory minimum for voting centers, and said that some locations were changed due to buildings no longer being operable and ADA requirements.
    — CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Crucially, however, there's an egress window in here, so it can also be used as a guest sleeping area (operable windows are required for tiny house loft bedrooms in most areas).
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of operable

Browse Nearby Words

used up
useful
usefulness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All