useless

adjective

use·​less ˈyüs-ləs How to pronounce useless (audio)
: having or being of no use:
a
: ineffectual
a useless attempt
b
: not able to give service or aid : inept
uselessly adverb
uselessness noun

Examples of useless in a Sentence

The tent is useless in wet conditions. I made a useless attempt at fixing the leak. Drugs are useless in treating the condition.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Once the borer has entered the stem, insecticides are useless. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025 Though small, the defect made the telescope mostly useless to astronomers. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025 No one is useless, no one is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The military's investment of hundreds of billions of dollars in F-35s, F-22s, F-15s, and F-16s would be useless because the aircraft cannot get into the fight. Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for useless

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of useless was in 1593

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Useless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/useless. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

useless

adjective
use·​less ˈyüs-ləs How to pronounce useless (audio)
: having or being of no use
uselessly adverb
uselessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on useless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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