Synonyms of serve

serve

verb

ˈsərv 

1

as in to attend

to be a servant for

he served his master faithfully for 20 years

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attend
• work (for)
• wait upon
• wait on
• slave (for)
• dance attendance (upon)
• tend (to)
• minister (to)

2

as in to suffice

to be enough

they made the pasta serve for eight guests

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suffice
• do
• satisfy
• suit
• answer
• quench
• content
• satiate
• sate
• assuage

3

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

• suffice
• do
• fit
• suit
• satisfy
• befit
• go
• fit the bill
• fill the bill
• work
• beseem
• function

4

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way

my parents served me well in preparing me for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treat
• handle
• use
• be (to)
• deal (with)
• act (toward)
• regard
• consider
• respond (to)
• view
• react (to)
• do by
• engage (with)
• rate
• reckon
• esteem

5

as in to act

to have a certain purpose

the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

Synonyms & Similar Words

• act
• function
• work
• perform
• operate
• manage
• run
• regulate
• handle
• guide
• administer
• control
• carry on
• direct
• supervise
• oversee

6

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

• benefit
• help
• avail
• profit
• assist
• advantage
• aid
• improve
• succeed
• work (for)
• satisfy
• please
• better
• bless
• gratify
• content
• delight
• gladden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• impede
• hurt
• impair
• injure
• harm
• damage
• distress
• upset
• afflict

Examples of serve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That dated back to when Adams served as the Brooklyn city borough president. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024

But the entire show serves as convincing evidence that no clear boundary between person and persona exists. —Sarah Kurchak, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024

The latest: Gaskins began serving lunch in early September with a great-looking menu that includes a burger, Philly cheesesteak, cauliflower steak and some small plates. —Worth Sparkman, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024

Created by Christopher Storer, who serves as showrunner alongside Joanna Calo, the hectic yet meditative FX series centers on Carmy (White), a talented but troubled chef who transforms his family sandwich shop into a fine-dining establishment. —Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024