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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Recent Examples of use
Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Large picture windows, used throughout the house, let in plenty of natural light while framing the beautiful sights of the surrounding countryside.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Ezreen Benissan, Essence, 7 July 2025
The use of nuclear weapons by the U.K. as part of the mission would require the authorization of NATO’s nuclear planning group as well as the U.S. president and British prime minister.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Verb
Top management knew best and issued directives to the rest of the organization, using steep chains of command to ensure order.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Large picture windows, used throughout the house, let in plenty of natural light while framing the beautiful sights of the surrounding countryside.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Noun
The collection saw a prominent use of colors such as red, yellow, and green, mirroring the colors of the Ghanaian flag—though this was unintentional.
—Ezreen Benissan, Essence, 7 July 2025
The use of nuclear weapons by the U.K. as part of the mission would require the authorization of NATO’s nuclear planning group as well as the U.S. president and British prime minister.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
-
Instead of using a traditional app, the program utilizes a digital wallet system and focuses on frequency.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
5 July 2025
-
At least three medical helicopters were utilized to transport victims to local hospitals, per The Outlook and ABC 33-40.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The victim, who both outlets reported is from Winter Park, was transported to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
-
While many performers cultivate a cohesive closet for both on and off the stage (see: Billie Eilish and her love of baggy attire, or Beyoncé and her love of red, white, and blue), Lana treats her public persona as something entirely separate.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
His bat speed hasn’t slowed, but there will always be ways to exploit even the greatest hitters.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Sheeraz is also adept at timing; if his foe offers a slight opening, Sheeraz can exploit it and land a powerful strike.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Singer continued to advise prospective undergraduates on their college applications while serving his sentence in federal prison in Florida, and from a California halfway house after his release.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
The most dramatic application of this asymmetric approach came in June, when a fleet of more than a hundred Ukrainian drones struck targets as far away as Siberia, destroying or damaging some twenty Russian warplanes.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
While the usefulness of AI features may be debatable, years of OS and software support are not, which gives Samsung the decisive edge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 July 2025
-
Teens recognized the usefulness of navigation apps, but simultaneously acknowledged the risk of accidents associated with taking their eyes off the road. What People Are Saying Robbins told Newsweek that distracted driving endangers young people, but also the traveling public around them.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Avs coach Jared Bednar took a bit of a liking to him last year before the suspension.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
10 July 2025
-
Neeson recalls taking an immediate liking to the idea of starring in a Naked Gun reboot.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
The age at which the earnings test no longer applies has changed as well.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
As my Organizational Behavior professor at INSEAD, Kets de Vries challenged us to think about how to apply principles, not just learn them.—
Melanie Hughes,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Hexagon's new humanoid robot is built to step into these tough environments, handling repetitive and error-prone tasks so businesses can keep things running smoothly and safely.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
-
Whereas Ober handled the struggles well early on, his last two turns were far more difficult on the pitcher.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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