UTILITY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

utility 1 of 2

noun

yü-ˈti-lə-tē

Definition of utility

as in usefulness

the capacity for being useful for some purpose the store specializes in gee-whiz gadgetry of dubious utility

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

utility

2 of 2

adjective

as in other

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 utility

Noun

This combination—strong binding but limited activation—is central to the clinical utility of buprenorphine. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 Gardner provides water, wastewater, and electric utilities for residential and commercial properties within city limits. — Taylor O'Connor 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The Rays were also at the forefront of other innovations and/or adjustments, such as defensive shifts, lineup platoons, matchup bullpens, star-quality super-utility players and putting a numbers nerd (technically a process and analytics coach) in the dugout. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Heriberto Hernandez and super-utility player Javier Sanoja were the only right-handed hitters who could see steady time in the outfield. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for utility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for utility

Noun

Advertisement McKleroy, meanwhile, likes to over-research, add more information, and complicate projects past the point of usefulness.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Because the watermark degrades with more thorough editing or in shorter samples of text, its usefulness may also be uneven depending on the department or assignment.

— Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of usefulness

Adjective

People can lose weight because of cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Among other packaging tweaks, the 3-ounce and 8-ounce mists, as well as the 8-ounce wash, now use custom bottles that were developed specifically for this line.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of other

Noun

Davis shared her thoughts alongside a side-by-side comparison of the costume with 19th-century minstrel imagery, which perpetuated racist stereotypes about Black Americans and involved the use of blackface.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
But experts on the use of artificial intelligence in combat say that line already has been crossed.

— Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of use

Noun

For decades, Washington strove to align perceptions across theaters, to little avail.

— Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
After that, when the impossibility of recovering anyone else became clear, Al-Zaharnah and others kept hoping international organizations would convince Israel to allow more construction equipment, but to little avail.

— Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of avail

Adjective

Some insurance and travel companies still depend on MTurk for data workers, and are now scrambling to find alternative platforms, Pawloski said.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Guidance includes carrying ample water and supplies, checking road and weather conditions in advance and taking an alternative means of communication, such as a satellite communicator or emergency beacon.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of alternative

Adjective

One day, Parton fashioned a makeshift microphone by putting a tobacco stick into the ground and placing a tin can on top, performing a show of her own.

— Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
The trailer contained a makeshift toilet fashioned from an upside-down plastic bucket, a trash bag and a toilet seat, according to prosecutors.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of makeshift

Adjective

Trump does not appear anywhere else on the website, aside from a list of endorsements that previously appeared on the homepage but has been moved to a separate page.

— Steve Peoples, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Luiz understands that aspect, too, acknowledging that Sporting KC needed him four separate times during Thursday’s news conference.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

Browse Nearby Words

utilitarian

utility

utilizable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of utility

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on utility

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes