UTILITY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

utility 1 of 2

noun

yü-ˈti-lə-tē

Definition of utility

as in usefulness

the capacity for being useful for some purpose the store specializes in gee-whiz gadgetry of dubious utility

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

utility

2 of 2

adjective

as in other

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 utility

Noun

Under state law, utilities can request permission from the IURC to recover up to 80% of costs, while the remaining 20% can be covered in its next rate case. — Christin Lazerus, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Didulo — paranoid that people in the village would poison her through the town’s utilities — bought vast quantities of bottled water. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The Rays were also at the forefront of other innovations and/or adjustments, such as defensive shifts, lineup platoons, matchup bullpens, star-quality super-utility players and putting a numbers nerd (technically a process and analytics coach) in the dugout. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Heriberto Hernandez and super-utility player Javier Sanoja were the only right-handed hitters who could see steady time in the outfield. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for utility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for utility

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

Adjective

The service Casually buttoned-up and (like many other things at this property) classic New York, with concierge and servers always ready to lend a hand—but without fussing over anything.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026
While plenty of chic boots are obviously on her radar, her seasonal collection includes a range of other styles, too, like sneakers, loafers, and flats.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of other

Noun

Two people were arrested, but charges were dropped pending the outcome of the internal review after complaints about the use of force.

— Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Despite trust provisions, the court found the Kittrells were contingent beneficiaries due to their son's powers to benefit them and their continued personal use and control of trust assets.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of use

Adjective

Bert McCarty, a Clemson University professor of turfgrass science and management, said golfers like how top courses are so different — from incorporating the ocean in places near beaches to relying on inclines in the mountains.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
The tour, which began in 1999, showcases Slamdance titles to different audiences around the country, expanding their reach beyond the traditional film hubs of Los Angeles and New York.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of different

Noun

After that, when the impossibility of recovering anyone else became clear, Al-Zaharnah and others kept hoping international organizations would convince Israel to allow more construction equipment, but to little avail.

— Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Ronaldo tried a bicycle kick on the rebound, to no avail.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

Definition of avail

Adjective

The company added that the vessel can also be equipped with alternative combat management systems, including the Lockheed Martin CMS330 Combat Management System.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
Forbes queried every sponsor asking if it had been offered alternative benefits or reimbursement, but only one responded.

— Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternative

Adjective

The highlight of mine was the rabbit doppio, a large ravioli stuffed with braised meat and cheese in separate but adjacent cells, and the beef tenderloin was a perfect anchor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
No distributions were ever made by the Children's Trust to any of its beneficiaries, and the beneficial shares of that trust were not divided into separate shares for each of the beneficiaries as was also required by the 2020 amendment.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian

utility

utilizable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/utility. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of utility

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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