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 next

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

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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

Examples of use in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Other restaurants have introduced serving robots and ordering kiosks, but this is likely the most extensive use of tech for customers start to finish at a single dine-in space in Indiana — from guests utilizing remote waitlists on the app to them paying using mobile checkout. —

Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Nov. 2024 Typically the Resonance watches—which use twin escapements coupled by vibrations alone—use two identical dials side-by-side, but Mike’s uses a parking meter dial on the left side. —

Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2024

Noun

Other restaurants have introduced serving robots and ordering kiosks, but this is likely the most extensive use of tech for customers start to finish at a single dine-in space in Indiana — from guests utilizing remote waitlists on the app to them paying using mobile checkout. —

Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Nov. 2024 Research hasn’t looked at the effects of cayenne pepper water on human health, but there is some research to support the use of capsaicin, the active compound in cayenne. —

Korin Miller, Health, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for use

Recent Examples of Synonyms for use

Verb

Shah states that the challenges of utilizing these properties for affordable housing lie in addressing design, cost, and more.

William Mullane, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
Many home logos utilize a name as a starting point, incorporating words such as cottage, bungalow, manor and hall before adding other area details.

Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024