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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Teachers and staff from 63 Aurora Public Schools campuses used the resource, including preschool, elementary, middle and high school educators, counselors, therapists and special education staff. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Vaccines, however, are typically formally recommended by the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee — called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — before they are used. — Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

There’s an infrared indoor sauna available for use all year round. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026 The new guidelines follow an unsuccessful attempt in the General Assembly this spring to impose a statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphone use in public schools. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for use

Recent Examples of Synonyms for use

Verb

Shawn Vanderhoven is a partner at The Wiseman Group, a thought leadership and consulting firm working with many of the biggest and brightest companies in the S&P and focusing on developing a leader's ability to fully utilize their people’s talent.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
Others utilize programs for hospice care to look after loved ones, or small-business loans to open a new storefront or hire a new employee.

— JD Vance, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of utilize

Verb

By Friday, the French Swimming Federation said the affected area had been treated, allowing athletes to return to the water and the event to proceed as planned.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
So is controlling blood pressure, treating chronic conditions such as diabetes, avoiding smoking, limiting excessive alcohol use, getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of treat

Verb

With a generation warped by disappointment and frustration, the pressure is mounting to exploit any opening.

— Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
The company wants advanced cybersecurity models to strengthen digital defenses by helping security teams identify and fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exploit

Noun

Tim Graef's golden retriever, River, could have been a star in the new film, but didn't make it past the application process.

— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to instantly plump and hydrate your complexion without a fussy application process.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of application

Noun

Once a measure becomes the target, its usefulness rapidly declines because people change their behavior to improve the score.

— Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Chiron turns retrograde in your 6th House of Work and Wellness, stirring old sensitivity around productivity, usefulness, or the pressure to keep pushing when your system is clearly asking for adjustment.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of usefulness

Noun

But if your disco cabinets are just a bit too much for your liking, take the doors off completely for a fresh look.

— Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 5 Aug. 2026
As a result, staff undergo extensive training, learning to guide customers through choosing a whiskey to their liking, within their price range.

— Don Tse, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

This now applies to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents of 14- to 17-year-olds and those aged 55 to 64.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
If the shooter is reckless, like firing a weapon into the air, a state law regarding reckless behavior would apply.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of apply

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usages

use

used

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“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of use

verb

noun

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Synonyms of use

verb

noun

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Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

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