USE Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'use' contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use . While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end. // willing to use any means to achieve her ends

Q: Where would 'employ' be a reasonable alternative to 'use'?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged. // looking for better ways to employ their skills

Q: When is it sensible to use 'utilize' instead of 'use'?

While in some cases nearly identical to use , utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something. // an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

use 1 of 2

verb

ˈyüz

Definition of use

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

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way the factory workers were underpaid and poorly used by their employers

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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

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use

2 of 2

noun

ˈyüs

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in liking

positive regard for something I have no use for slackers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb use contrast with its synonyms?

The words employ and utilize are common synonyms of use. While all three words mean "to put into service especially to attain an end," use implies availing oneself of something as a means or instrument to an end.

willing to use any means to achieve her ends

Where would employ be a reasonable alternative to use?

Although the words employ and use have much in common, employ suggests the use of a person or thing that is available but idle, inactive, or disengaged.

looking for better ways to employ their skills

When is it sensible to use utilize instead of use?

While in some cases nearly identical to use, utilize may suggest the discovery of a new, profitable, or practical use for something.

an old wooden bucket utilized as a planter

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 use

Verb

The team compared their system with the conventional AI Deep Q Network (DQN), which uses algorithms rather than brain cells. — New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026 Supporters have pushed back hard and legislative attorneys recently said the legal definition closest to the one used by the measure likely doesn’t open it to them. — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Noun

Running complicated algorithms on quantum computing hardware is going to require the use of logical qubits, where collections of hardware qubits are linked together in ways that allow errors to be detected and corrected. — ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 The planners told council members that the project would require a public hearing, special land use application approval by the City Council, and then a final site plan to proceed. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for use

Recent Examples of Synonyms for use

Verb

Unlike most eVTOLs, which use propellers, the Roadster utilized compressed air jets to leap over other cars and propel from the top of a ramp six or seven stories high during its product reveal earlier this month.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Other times, python leather is utilized for accent work or trim for a more cost-effective but impactful option seen via capped toes or on straps.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of utilize

Verb

The United States has spent decades developing new ways to detect, prevent, and treat human diseases.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
As for gas, it has usually been treated as a waste product to be burned off; because there are so few pipelines to bring it to market, West Texas gas prices have even dipped negative this year.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of treat

Verb

That signal can be aggregated, correlated, and exploited by hostile foreign intelligence services to anticipate our movements, targets, and timing.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
The researchers did not observe every capability being actively exploited, so account compromise should not be assumed without evidence.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of exploit

Noun

Their usefulness will depend on reliable navigation, robust fault responses and effective coordination between onboard systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Many conservationists argue that living species possess an inherent right to exist independent of their usefulness to human beings.

— David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of usefulness

Noun

Beige is a bit too basic for our liking, whereas camel brings cozy warmth and chic sophistication with its golden-brown undertones.

— InStyle, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
Anyone who’s had a game console and played Madden has arranged depth charts to their liking and made game-management decisions to feel like a head coach.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

New safety requirements apply What sets the aircraft apart is its enhanced angle-of-attack system, which Boeing plans to introduce across the 737 MAX family.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
The boy was a soccer player who was enchanted by the idea of camping in the woods; Charlotte was bright and cheery, sometimes applying glitter to her father’s mustache.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of apply

Verb

Seventy-one percent also doubt that his village cooperatives policy—which plans to establish hubs in roughly 80,000 communities to handle basic-goods distribution, savings, and other rural services—would succeed.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The case remains under investigation and is being handled by the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division, according to Arcadia police.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of handle

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usages

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“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of use

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noun

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Synonyms of use

verb

noun

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Is it 'used to' or 'use to'?

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