1
as in to utilize
to put into action or service
I will need to use the large hammer for this project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to exploit
to take unfair advantage of
I was paying for everything on our little outing, and I was starting to feel like I was being used
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in application
the act or practice of employing something for a particular purpose
the use of boom boxes is strictly prohibited in the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in usefulness
the capacity for being useful for some purpose
the broken grill isn't going to be of much use in cooking the hamburgers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in liking
positive regard for something
I have no use for slackers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of use
Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Crystal flower embellishments were used prominently in other styles, bringing sparkle to pastel mules, slingbacks, kitten heels and more.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Despite his warning, lead poisoning may have contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire through the use of lead in wine, bowls, cups, and cosmetics.
—Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Verb
The web, by contrast, was free, easy to use, and, thanks to hypertext, infinitely flexible.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Crystal flower embellishments were used prominently in other styles, bringing sparkle to pastel mules, slingbacks, kitten heels and more.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Despite his warning, lead poisoning may have contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire through the use of lead in wine, bowls, cups, and cosmetics.
—Tom Frieden, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
-
The paper's Friday story added that authorities utilized genealogical DNA to secure the recent breakthrough — the same kind of evidence that led to an arrest in the notorious Golden State Killer case in 2018.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
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The streamer has utilized boxing events, such as Canelo-Crawford and the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, to expand its foray into live events.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was treated at the same facility as Nichols.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Jillian, who police say had no involvement in the hit-and-run and was standing in her own yard, was later taken into custody and treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
State-of-the-art dilution refrigerators exploit mixtures of helium-3 and helium-4 to cool qubits down to millikelvin temperatures where fragile quantum states can persist.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
-
That each and every one of us has a role to play in standing up against authoritarian powers that want to exploit our differences for their own gain.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Currently, the federal government is not accepting new applications for the program because of federal court rulings, though individuals already in the program may apply for renewals.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Companies are used to paying between $2,000 and $5,000 per visa application.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong showed flashes of usefulness — and were trusted as much as the veterans around them.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Analysts warned that consumers with insurance may continue to pay less at the pharmacy counter than through the TrumpRx website, raising questions about the program’s broader usefulness.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another one of his tops came in a deep shade of red and did seem to be to his liking.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Haight finished second on the team in goals with 20, and after some adjustment found better competition, and better teammates, to his liking.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Currently, the federal government is not accepting new applications for the program because of federal court rulings, though individuals already in the program may apply for renewals.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Alibaba said it could be applied in areas such as smart glasses and intelligent cockpits.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Still, some industry critics have said Peloton's equipment isn't appropriate for gym settings because the machines can't handle higher frequency use, which prompted the company to create a more durable lineup.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Democrats say health care protections must be preserved, while Republicans say that funding and policy should be handled separately.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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