useless

adjective

use·​less ˈyüs-ləs How to pronounce useless (audio)
Synonyms of uselessnext
: having or being of no use:
a
: ineffectual
a useless attempt
b
: not doing or not able to do what is needed
a dull, useless knife
An antibiotic is useless in treating this disease.
uselessly adverb
uselessness noun

Synonyms of useless

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Examples of useless in a Sentence

The tent is useless in wet conditions. I made a useless attempt at fixing the leak. Drugs are useless in treating the condition.
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.
Maps had become useless; streets and landmarks washed away or hidden. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 At any rate, upon election my first official act would be to file legislation to do away with the useless job. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 July 2026 The Wire is a show about futility, but of all the useless deaths to come in later seasons, none sting more than Wallace. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 The six Republican appointees said those protections were effectively useless and not binding. — Leah Litman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for useless

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of useless was in 1593

Browse Nearby Words

use inheritance
useless
usen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/useless. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

useless

adjective
use·​less ˈyüs-ləs How to pronounce useless (audio)
: having or being of no use
uselessly adverb
uselessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on useless

Nglish: Translation of useless for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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