use 1 of 2

1
2
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

use

2 of 2

noun

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
Check this out 🎨 Past and present: Derrick Adams uses his paintings to spotlight important moments in Black history as well as to bookmark his own personal interests and fixations. Daniel Wine, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025 Other initiatives include the return of free refills (for in-store customers) and its condiments bar and requiring customers to make purchases to use the restrooms. Moná Thomas, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
Park District officials want to make changes on the pool that originally went into use about ten years ago. Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 This appears to be its first use of a new policy to criminally investigate state and local officials who do not comply with Trump's directives. Sarah N. Lynch, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
  • Well before Homer Glen incorporated as a municipality in 2001, developers were building subdivisions that were too dense to utilize well and septic systems, village engineer Brett Westcott said at a Village Board meeting last month.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
  • When George gets nothing more than a couple jump balls, Williams gets nothing at all, and the team refuses to utilize the most physically gifted guy on the field in Darnell Washington, none of this matters.
    Mike DeFabo, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Rose has mortgaged her house and slapped down $25,000 Euros to be treated at a clinic run by Dr. Gomez (Vincent Perez), whose methods lean more into analysis than medicine.
    David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Unlike traditional medical interventions that often focus on treating symptoms, medical retreats aim to identify the root causes of health challenges, both known and unknown.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But in other cases, there’s little justification for tracking your whereabouts, which then can be exploited by apps, ad services or even hackers.
    Kelvin Chan, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025
  • In the Syrian Arab Republic, there was a risk of the group exploiting security vacuums after the fall of the Syrian government of Bashar Al-Assad on December 8.
    Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The order also required the Bureau of Consular Affairs to freeze passport applications requesting a gender marker change and renewals or new applications with a gender marker different from the applicant’s gender assigned at birth.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The United States is too dependent on non-domestic sources for key materials and minerals critical for high-tech applications and use in a wide range of industries.
    Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The usefulness of the one-on-one meeting has become a topic for debate.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The Blue Trail asserts that productivity is the antithesis of human fulfillment, offering an alternative of sorts to the empty promises of capitalism and Soviet-style communism with its insistence that our wellbeing isn’t tied up with notions of usefulness.
    Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Feel free to use your favorite peppers, and increase or decrease the heat according to your liking.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2025
  • All are eager to rearrange the party more to their ideological liking, though their views of how to fix what went wrong are often diametrically opposed.
    Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The president did not offer further details on whether the 25% tariff would be applied across the board to all countries or whether cars manufactured in Mexico and Canada under a free trade agreement Trump signed during his first term would be spared.
    John Liu and Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Burkhardt explained the companies will assess the reception of Canada Goose’s debut eyewear collection and take those learnings to apply to future launches.
    Layla Ilchi, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • For tasks that require a human touch, hire virtual assistants to handle them efficiently, freeing up your time to focus on growth and strategy.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Kids who communicate well, handle emotions effectively and build healthy relationships aren’t just naturally skilled at social interactions.
    Kelsey Mora, Contributor, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on use

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!