: having or being of no use:
a
: ineffectual
a useless attempt
b
: not able to give service or aid : inept
uselessly
adverb
uselessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of useless in a Sentence
The tent is useless in wet conditions.
I made a useless attempt at fixing the leak.
Drugs are useless in treating the condition.
Recent Examples on the Web
These latest such initiatives focus on linking cookies to devices and apps, rendering thefts useless.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Elevators stopped working between floors, stoplights stopped working at intersections and life-saving pacemakers were rendered useless.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 30 Oct. 2024
This breakage has–for obvious reasons–rendered the bag almost useless.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
Some of the waste is for procedures that are essentially useless.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for useless 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Elevators stopped working between floors, stoplights stopped working at intersections and life-saving pacemakers were rendered useless.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 30 Oct. 2024
This breakage has–for obvious reasons–rendered the bag almost useless.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
Some of the waste is for procedures that are essentially useless.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for useless
Articles Related to useless
Dictionary Entries Near useless
Cite this Entry
“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/useless. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share