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Definitions

use

[yooz, yoost, yoos] / yuz, yust, yus /
NOUN
act or instance of employment; utility
Synonyms
STRONGEST
handling operation service usage
STRONG
adoption appliance exercise exercising exertion mobilization usability utility
WEAK
capitalization treatment wear wear and tear
Antonyms
STRONG
inappropriateness unsuitability uselessness
NOUN
function, purpose, benefit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
benefit function help need purpose value
STRONG
advantage applicability call convenience fitness good helpfulness necessity object occasion point profit reason relevance serviceability usefulness worth
WEAK
appropriateness avail mileage
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disadvantage harm hindrance hurt injury
STRONG
loss
NOUN
custom
Synonyms
STRONGEST
custom habit practice routine
STRONG
way wont
WEAK
habitude
VERB
utilize; consume
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adopt apply employ handle manage operate practice run spend utilize wield work
STRONG
capitalize capitalize on consume deplete exercise exert exhaust expend occupy ply squander take waste
WEAK
avail oneself of bring into play bring to bear draw on find a use make do with make the most of make use play on press into service put forth put into action put to use put to work run through turn to account
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease halt leave alone let go mismanage misuse neglect reject renounce repudiate stop
STRONG
save
WEAK
abstain
VERB
manipulate, take advantage of
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit manipulate take advantage of
STRONG
abuse coerce pimp
WEAK
blackmail con control rip off work

Usage

What is another way to say use? The verb use is a general word: to use a telephone; to use a saw and other tools; to use one's eyes; to use eggs in cooking. As applied to persons, use implies some selfish or sinister purpose: to use another to advance oneself. What is used often has depreciated or been diminished, sometimes completely consumed: a used automobile; All the butter has been used. Utilize implies practical or profitable use: to utilize the means at hand, a modern system of lighting.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The court answered with a resounding no, dealing a blow to renewed efforts by large corporate taxpayers to use artificial tax maneuvers to shelter their profits.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The Chargers could use help at defensive end, but general manager Joe Hortiz says finding the best player available is his 2026 NFL draft priority.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

While the report outlines that the number of children strip searched has more than halved in four years, it warns that ethnic disparities persist and calls into question the use of force in some cases.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Mari Adam and Jeanne Thompson both use spreadsheets to keep track of their net worths and spending.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Me and him shared a comb, and I’d had the sense to use it this morning.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Vocabulary lists containing use

3-letter words, List 1

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