SERVE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

serve

verb

ˈsərv

Definition of serve

as in to attend

to be a servant for he served his master faithfully for 20 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to suffice

to be enough they made the pasta serve for eight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to do

to be fitting or proper those old riding boots will serve for now, but you'll need newer ones for the horse show

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way my parents served me well in preparing me for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to act

to have a certain purpose the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to benefit

to provide with something useful or desirable an excellent college that served her with the skills necessary to make it in today's job market

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 serve King has served as principal at Brinker Elementary for the past two years, according to Plano ISD. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Hershiser sees the legacy forged by Vin Scully, who served 67 seasons with the same franchise, and Jaime Jarrín, who served 64 years as its Spanish-language voice, as an obligation to bring his A-game every night. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 Brendan Brady and Jayme Alter Wilson serve as executive producers; Lori Fischburg and Liane Cunje are producers. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026 Patrick Bresnan serves as the director of photography along with Sara Kinney. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve

Verb

Full of music, dance, and vibrant colors, thousands of people gathered to attend the annual Boston Dominican parade and festival on Sunday afternoon.

— Paul Burton, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Min Aung Hlaing also will attend a Myanmar-Russia Business Forum during the trip, MRTV said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of attend

Verb

The list goes on; suffice it to say, there’s a wide gulf between Book Tumbleton and Show Tumbleton.

— Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Because of this, the majority of big-ship Alaska cruises require passengers to carry a passport, though there are some exceptions where a birth certificate can suffice.

— Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of suffice

Verb

As the Green Lantern, Hal has the power to create material items through his ring, and acts as an intergalactic space officer protecting humanity from extraterrestrial threats.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
Nightie dresses also act as the ultimate transitional wardrobe essential.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of act

Verb

The plan’s success, or lack thereof, can’t be determined until the end of the season, but Sutton on Friday certainly looked like a player who benefited from a couple of days of light work.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Visitors to the airport have been able to watch the trains in action, but travelers have yet to benefit.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of benefit

Verb

The perfect size for a daypack, this backpack is large enough to fit a decent amount, such as a book, large headphones, a sweater, snacks and a water bottle, alongside your basic essentials like your wallet, phone and keys.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
The rubber surface can be sized to fit your paddle accordingly.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of fit

Verb

The lawsuit argued that the new rules incorrectly preempt states’ powers to regulate how the interest generated by mortgage escrow accounts is handled.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Zaslav’s latest sale of 773,173 shares of WBD stock, for an aggregate market value of $21,655,292, was handled on his behalf by Fidelity Brokerage Services, according to a company filing with the SEC Thursday.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of handle

Browse Nearby Words

servants

serve

served

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of serve

verb

Example Sentences

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