worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs How to pronounce worthless (audio)
1
a
: lacking worth : valueless
worthless currency
b
: useless
worthless to continue searching
2
: contemptible, despicable
a worthless criminal
worthlessly adverb
worthlessness noun

Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you. She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Removing or reforming colleges with chronically poor outcomes means fewer borrowers entering repayment with no degree or worthless credentials. Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Settlers who actually traveled to Florida to inspect their purchases were likely to be greeted by muddy parcels of worthless swampland overrun with snakes and mosquitoes, miles away from anything resembling civilization. Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025 The markets are already speaking: The U.S. dollar now trades for more than 1 million rials, an almost 75 percent increase from a few months ago, making the Iranian currency among the most worthless in the world (in 2015, when Iran last signed a deal with the U.S., the dollar was just 29,500 IRR). Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025 For his part, Zelenskyy tried to say that any agreement with Putin was worthless, as Rubio pointed out. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for worthless

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of worthless was circa 1577

Cite this Entry

“Worthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worthless. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

worthless

adjective
worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs How to pronounce worthless (audio)
1
a
: lacking worth : valueless
b
: useless
worthless to continue searching
2
: deserving of hatred or pity
a worthless coward
worthlessly adverb
worthlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on worthless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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