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

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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

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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

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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 Football clubs have to determine when to replace players — even when the incumbent is popular, committed and useful. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Las Vegas also finds its own ways to commemorate its marks on history and popular culture — another way it’s proved useful for filming. — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 And while refinancing your student loans could be useful for some borrowers, think carefully before refinancing federal student loan debt. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 The larger battery gives it the sort of range that makes an EV genuinely useful for long-distance driving, while the interior avoids some of the irritating touchscreen-heavy trends found elsewhere. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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
  • This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
    — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The couple is announced and shares a dance, followed by mother/son and father/daughter dances, when applicable.
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of applicable
Adjective
  • Bristol Myers Squibb, or BMS, has a program to make its drugs available in lower-income countries.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • All in all, there is a fair amount of flexibility to add further signings or players currently available for sale or loan who fail to secure moves away from Stamford Bridge.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of available
Adjective
  • The company believes this method is helpful for missions where underwater threats are hard to spot and track for long times.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The critic who found a helpful narrative to understand the history, and future, of our images, without a drop of cynicism.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of helpful
Adjective
  • Women considering enlistment are generally more likely to ask practical questions about pregnancy policies, hygiene and whether barracks were coed, recruiters and women currently serving explained.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Testing includes blood work, genetic screening, ultrasounds, a DEXA body-composition scan, cardiovascular assessments, and numerous other diagnostics, with every result explained immediately and paired with practical recommendations.
    — Ken Gawrych, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of practical
Adjective
  • Cozy up in a reading nook complete with a brass floor lamp that casts a warm glow, or give your bedside a functional upgrade with this mid-century nightstand.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Final Thoughts The Qidi Max 4 feels like a machine designed for people who care more about capability, material flexibility, and printing large, functional parts than chasing a perfectly polished consumer-appliance experience.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of functional
Adjective
  • Colostrum also contains prebiotics and immune-supporting compounds, which help feed beneficial gut bacteria, prevent harmful germs from attaching to the gut wall, and support a more balanced immune response.
    — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Below, Forbes Business Council members share some underused ways to build professional connections that are beneficial, genuine and productive for everyone involved.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of beneficial
Adjective
  • Steve Hanke, a professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University, argues the conventional interest-rate story misses the real culprit.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • As an applied microeconomist, I am often asked how taxes affect economic activity.
    — Tibor Besedeš, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of applied
Adjective
  • The vehicles were still operable, just without perks that had been included when the owners purchased their vehicles.
    — Robert Ferris, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • These operable skylights bring in more natural light and fresh air to help regulate daylight, humidity, temperature, and airflow.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of operable

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used up
useful
usefulness
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Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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