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 Sensory objects such as headphones to minimize loud noises or the use of fidget toys can be useful for autistic children and adults alike, adds Cook. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025 But predicting who and when and what might happen has never been useful. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025 Conclusion These high-level tactics could be useful to both technology-first SaaS businesses and professional services looking to leverage the latest AI capabilities. Yersultan Sapar, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 My colleague, Jim Handy, who co-authors a report on emerging non-volatile memory with me, created a useful representation of a hierarchy of digital storage and memory technology, shown below. Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
  • Many stores also have regional stock based on in-store supply, so be sure to check your local zip code where applicable.
    Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Similarly, in a March release, the company said all potential buyers must agree to comply with its privacy policy and applicable law.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Just check out all of the other Woot tech deals available now!
    Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The report also found that there were no significant outbreaks of COVID-19-like symptoms at Defense Department facilities after the athletes returned, although service members were not tested for COVID-19 or antibodies as testing was not available at that early stage of the pandemic.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The ability to easily reuse notes is more helpful than the ability to catalogue and archive memos.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This can be helpful for disputing charges and clearing your record.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Each episode celebrates Black culture and sisterhood while serving up laughs, heartfelt moments, and practical travel gems.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Having a team that combines data science with operational expertise can help ensure that AI solutions are practical and aligned with business goals.
    Akash Khurana, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Custom cabinets usually address specific aesthetic, functional, and spatial requirements of homeowners and businesses.
    Lauren Carpenter, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Hospitals have not been spared; most are no longer functional.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These issues are very complicated, and Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Creatine may be most beneficial for:5 Athletes looking to gain muscle, especially in conjunction with powerlifting, Olympic weight lifting, or bodybuilding.
    Mary Choy, Verywell Health, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While a regional court in Cologne initially recognized four of Birkenstock’s shoe models as works of applied art and granted the company’s orders in 2017, a higher regional court in the city later overturned the orders on appeal in 2022.
    Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 21 Feb. 2025
  • In 1994, the applied mathematician Peter Shor was inspired by a recent oracle result to develop a fast quantum algorithm for factoring large numbers—a task whose apparent difficulty underlies the cryptographic systems that keep our online data secure.
    Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • While the games are only operable while the car is in park, that hasn’t stopped driving safety advocates from raising concerns.
    Kevin Williams, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Provide access to outdoor spaces and other sources of biophilia, including natural light and air, through operable windows.
    Sharron van der Meulen, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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