as in use
the capacity for being useful for some purpose
the well-known usefulness of thick phone books as seat boosters for short diners
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Recent Examples of usefulness
Fans of the penny cite its usefulness in charity drives and nostalgia for a bygone era when one penny could buy a piece of gum.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Rate your answer on a scale of 1-10 for each of these criteria: accuracy, completeness, relevance, clarity, and practical usefulness.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Unlike aluminum cans, which can be melted down and reused an indefinite number of times, plastic degrades during the ordinary recycling process, limiting its usefulness.
—Josiah Neeley, Oc Register, 21 May 2025
Dina’s usefulness, and her ability to bring all these things to the (literal) table, is only possible because of a key departure from the show’s source material in episode two, which swaps the patrol pairs from the game and places Dina with Joel when he’s killed.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usefulness
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Rate your answer on a scale of 1-10 for each of these criteria: accuracy, completeness, relevance, clarity, and practical usefulness.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Unlike aluminum cans, which can be melted down and reused an indefinite number of times, plastic degrades during the ordinary recycling process, limiting its usefulness.
—Josiah Neeley, Oc Register, 21 May 2025
Dina’s usefulness, and her ability to bring all these things to the (literal) table, is only possible because of a key departure from the show’s source material in episode two, which swaps the patrol pairs from the game and places Dina with Joel when he’s killed.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for usefulness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for usefulness
Noun
-
Learn how to evaluate your existing garden, use or convert irrigation systems and basic design approaches.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
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
Noun
-
Also, Fred Armisen: not tech avail, both seasons in a row.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
-
For decades, watchdog organizations have warned of staffing challenges and equipment dysfunction to little avail.—
Linda Qiu,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Floridians deserve to know that utility investments are grounded in thorough planning, not made hastily or based solely on industry input.—
Dawn Shirreffs,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
If time allows, disconnect utilities and appliances.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Usefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/usefulness. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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