helpful

adjective

ˈhelp-fəl How to pronounce helpful (audio)
Definition of helpfulnext
1
as in useful
providing service or assistance a website that I've always found to be helpful for finding information on common medical problems

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beneficial
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being the teachers felt that it would be helpful to have more than one thesaurus in the classroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 helpful The alignment is a helpful way for Democrats to change the subject from US-Israel policy, a topic that has bitterly split them in this state in particular. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Coverage can be particularly helpful for short-term rentals, where systems and appliances see heavy use. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 For ongoing wildfires, including the Ross Fire, Thursday's lighter winds are helpful. — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 That’s a very helpful insight that will, hopefully, save the family from future strife. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for helpful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helpful
  1. useful
  2. beneficial
  3. favorable
  4. good
  5. friendly
Adjective
  • The most useful example turned out to be something Alexa had previously done very well.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Removing dye, however, is only useful to recycling if the process does not destroy the cellulose along with it.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of useful
Adjective
  • Unlike tobacco, a static product with no real defensible qualities outside of recreation, consumer technology is ever evolving, and the lines between harmfully addictive and beneficial to society can be extremely blurry.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Also, ants are a beneficial insect and may not even be harming your plants.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of beneficial
Adjective
  • Sulfolane has received less favorable assessments under more recent solvent-selection guidance, including concerns around reproductive toxicity.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That, coupled with a favorable schedule featuring home games against TCU, BYU, Baylor, Arizona State and Iowa State, should help the Knights become bowl-eligible for the first time since the 2023 season.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • Best Amazon End-of-Season Patio Furniture Deals The end-of-season patio furniture deals at Amazon are too good to pass up.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Grichuk put a good swing on a slider while flying out to left field.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of good
Adjective
  • Underneath the friendly little pixel clock, though, the presence of an ESP32 makes things interesting, and Ulanzi has done something rather unusual.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of friendly

Browse Nearby Words

helpers
helpful
helpfully
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Cite this Entry

“Helpful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helpful. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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