1
as in applicable
capable of being put to use or account
useful suggestions for limiting the amount of food we eat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The polling serves as a useful road map for how Democrats in both chambers plan to keep talking about the legislation over the next two years.
—
Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
But for the Trump administration, Harvard is a more useful target than Columbia.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
And the nanolithography system ultimately has a more useful purpose – developing a new generation of computing devices.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2025
To turn these systems into useful applications like chatbots, engineers employ a training process called reinforcement learning.
—Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for useful
Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
But for the Trump administration, Harvard is a more useful target than Columbia.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
And the nanolithography system ultimately has a more useful purpose – developing a new generation of computing devices.
—New Atlas, 4 June 2025
To turn these systems into useful applications like chatbots, engineers employ a training process called reinforcement learning.
—Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for useful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for useful
Adjective
-
As a clinical psychology researcher in training, my goal is to recruit a wide range of individuals into our studies to make our findings more applicable to all.—
Samantha N. Melendez,
Denver Post,
5 June 2025
-
An applicable passenger vehicle for the tax break also would include all-terrain vehicles and recreational vehicles, if their final assembly took place in the United States.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
According to a report published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) last year, total spend in the sector generated a total $421 billion and $119 billion in tax revenue in 2022, the most recent year in which full data was available.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
-
The film will be available on several digital platforms including Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Microsoft, Movies Anywhere, Prime Video and YouTube.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The following are generally considered some of the least helpful foods for Crohn's disease.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
30 May 2025
-
This feature can be extremely helpful in extending insights use cases and getting stakeholders to embrace research as part of their business.—
Erin Tavgac,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Besides, for Australia and Japan in particular, the practical differences between today’s defense partnership and one of mutual defense are relatively small and shrinking by the day.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
-
The document provides simple, practical directions for maintaining health.—
Time,
Time,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Partner Edward M. Cook brings a unique, relatable perspective on how to create functional boards from groups of highly accomplished individuals.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
-
On both aesthetic and functional levels, the mask also adds to the intensity.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Working directly with an outside expert may be beneficial.—
Simon Dae Oong Kim,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Finding the right probiotic Paul and her colleagues have spent over six years investigating whether beneficial microorganisms (aka probiotics) could be a longer lasting alternative to combat this pathogen.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Latin root of compliance means a physical response to force—what happens to a bodily organ under applied pressure.—
Zoe Roth
April 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Jain: That’s a powerful example of applied storytelling.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Also, in many developing countries, operable blindness is still far too common.—
Moby Kazmi,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
By the time the fire started in early January, the Pacific Palisades Reservoir remained out of service and the Santa Ynez Reservoir was still two months away from being operable.—
Mike Baker,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/useful. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share