use 1 of 2

1
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

use

2 of 2

noun

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 bonus bets will be separate wagers that do not have to be used on the same market. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025 In 2024, Summers performed an Off-Broadway show about his life titled The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers, which used Double Dare to tell his life story. Victoria Edel, People.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
The government stated that these listings violated short-term rental rules, including the use of missing or fake license numbers and unclear ownership details. Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 Always consult your stovetop model's use and care guide for specific recommendations and best practices on maintenance. Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for use
Recent Examples of Synonyms for use
Verb
  • Treatments include massages utilizing a mixture of orange, clove, ginger and seaweed, or emulating the movements of the sea to relieve muscular tension; a seaweed leaf wrap to soften and nourish the skin and skin renewal facials.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Rather than matching in this instance, consider plant growth forms and whether the potential shade generated can be utilized.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Premium Linen & Beeswax Bread Bags, 2-Pack $30 $26 Amazon Marley's Monsters Linen Bread Bag $32 Marley's Monsters A luxe kitchen hand soap If your host aspires to have a home that smells like a fancy hotel, treat them to a bottle of Naomi After-Cooking Hand Scrub.
    Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
  • These individuals were someone’s son, brother, father, and community members, yet they were treated as less than human. New York jails and prisons house more individuals with mental illness than any psychiatric hospital in the country.
    Justyna Rzewinski, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Our own threat research labs (CTRL) revealed five trends defining how bad actors will further exploit AI to advance their malicious intentions.
    Etay Maor, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • But their glaring weakness is in goal, and few teams are better equipped to exploit Skinner’s shakiness than Dallas, which sends line after line of scorers over the boards.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • For the other half, AI applications could take over tasks currently performed by humans, potentially reducing labor demand, wages and hiring.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
  • Some customers will feel comfortable booking a trip using a mobile application.
    Miguel McInnis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • These settings are ideal for astrophotography, while the overall focal range further increases its usefulness when shooting a variety of night sky compositions.
    James Abbott, Space.com, 27 May 2025
  • An Internet where a World ID is required to access most services might impede the usefulness of the agents that OpenAI and others are developing.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Exchanges are not for comparing notes or calling each other’s attention to something that was not done to your liking.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
  • In March, the United States proposed an immediate, limited 30-day truce, which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for terms more to its liking.
    SAMYA KULLAB, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Alaska Airlines is a U.S. airline, so do U.S. rules apply?
    Christopher Elliott The Travel Troubleshooter, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2025
  • The same applies to the other numbers noted in the study, 6835, 7637, 8093, and 9629.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants can handle many customer queries, freeing up human agents for more complex interactions.
    Ivan Ostojić, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The Yanks lobbed them the title, and the Dodgers were barely able to handle the throw.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/use. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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