1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 He's only played 18 games this year — and injury concerns are always an issue for Brogdon, given that he's only topped 40 games once in the last four years and has only topped 60 twice in the last eight years — but when he's been out there, he's been a perfectly useful starter for the Wizards. Sam Vecenie, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 The motion gestures and useful remote camera shutter function have been removed, and the stylus is back to being just a stylus. Todd Haselton, The Verge, 22 Jan. 2025 Without data, the AI isn’t going to be doing much of anything useful. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 There is some variation in the mix — Origins allows troops to perform certain tasks like opening locked doors or destroying watchtowers, as well as special squad attacks like arrow sieges and rally cries that can be useful in the midst of the action. Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for useful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
  • Player is restricted Key free-agency dates WNBA franchises had from Jan. 11 to Jan. 20 to extend qualifying offers to make applicable players restricted or reserved free agents.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Studies from a communications perspective have shown that disclosing a crisis, acknowledging responsibility where applicable and apologizing (subscription required) can reduce the risk of lawsuits and help maintain or rebuild trust.
    Mike Kuczkowski, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chiefs are back in the AFC Championship Game and a limited number of tickets are available for the contest, which will take place on Sunday, Jan. 26 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Johnson, the hottest offensive coordinator candidate for head coach in at least the last several hiring cycles, suddenly became available Saturday night when the Detroit Lions and their raucous fans clad in Honolulu Blue at Ford Field were shocked.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In the meantime, our friends at the Cut have put together a helpful guide to helping wildfire victims.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Below, medical experts share helpful tips to support your lungs, skin and general wellness.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • China has achieved a major milestone in the quest for practical commercial fusion power.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The result is a hyperrealistic natural setting bathed in saturated hues, incrementally manipulated with Saxon’s matte paintings and other practical effects, with just a modicum of CGI.
    Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The village wants the plant to be functional by 2030 when its intergovernmental agreement with the city of Lockport for wastewater treatment services expires.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The current Entertainment & Studios HQ team will be working closely with this new television entertainment leadership team to align functional areas in the coming weeks.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Rainfall will be mostly beneficial but poses a risk for dangerous debris flows over recent burn scars.
    James Bickerton, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • That rate is of an intensity that is beneficial and isn’t intense enough to start producing mud flows or a debris flow.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In September 2023, Danaher spun off its environmental and applied solutions segment into a water and packaging quality company named Veralto .
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
  • According to Matt Kessler, an applied linguist at the University of South Florida who has researched Duolingo’s efficacy, the app is giving you a beginner’s guide, and not much more.
    Imogen West-Knights, The Dial, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Had the reservoir been operable, water pressure in the Palisades would have lasted longer on Tuesday night, said former DWP general manager Martin Adams, an expert on the city’s water system.
    Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The sides and the front-facing facade are operable to ensure natural ventilation and a canopy has been installed for shading.
    Adam Williams, New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near useful

Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

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