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
  • Giveaway Entities reserve the right to change, alter, or amend these Official Rules as necessary, in its sole determination, to ensure the fair administration of the Giveaway or to comply with applicable law.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Transport is not widely available, so about a third of the people were making their way back on foot, according to OCHA.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Then, in January 2024, the sandwich chain made the footlong cookie available nationwide.
    Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The cash could be helpful as Dover’s leadership team considers further adjustments to its wide-ranging portfolio that focuses the company on more attractive end markets.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
  • For people who have kids, having an emergency contact with legal residency status who has permission to pick them up from school can also be helpful.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 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
  • Brand founder, Amy Zurek, spent a year studying crossbody bags in order to develop this harmonious and functional shape.
    Christina Holevas, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Moms say the bag is functional and spacious for their items and some of their kids’ stuff.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Rainfall will be mostly beneficial but poses a risk for dangerous debris flows over recent burn scars.
    James Bickerton, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Corporate improv is an offshoot of applied improvisation, a field that explores the benefits of improv outside the theater.
    Sam Sanders, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • 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
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 8 Feb. 2025.

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