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 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

More than a hundred and seventy million Americans reportedly use TikTok, with adult users spending an average of well over a half an hour on the app a day. —

Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025 Elsewhere in the tiny house is a third, smaller bedroom that could also be used for storage. —

Adam Williams, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025

Noun

Parents in particular are worried about the repercussions of long-term social media use, underscored by the success of Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation. —

Olof Schybergson, Fortune Asia, 8 Jan. 2025 The Justice Department has been enforcing more than a dozen such agreements over the past four years after Attorney General Merrick Garland reversed a Trump administration policy limiting the use of consent decrees. —

N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for use

Recent Examples of Synonyms for use

Verb

Instead of using Downs as a traditional deep safety, Ohio State switched to using him about nine to 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, giving him a chance to utilize his instincts in the run game along with his athleticism in the pass game.

— Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
The upcoming game will utilize the power of modern consoles to display thousands of enemies on the screen and retell Romance of the Three Kingdoms in a more thorough manner.

— David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025