Definitions

useless

[yoos-lis] / ˈyus lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

not working; not valuable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counterproductive fruitless futile hopeless idle impractical incompetent ineffective ineffectual inoperative meaningless no good pointless stupid unproductive unworkable worthless

WEAK

abortive bootless disadvantageous dysfunctional expendable feckless good-for-nothing impracticable inept inutile nonfunctional of no use profitless purposeless scrap unavailable unavailing unfunctional unprofitable unpurposed unusuable vain valueless waste weak

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective fruitful hopeful meaningful productive profitable sensible useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

helpful usable working

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.

Worries about inflation have caused some seniors to stampede into gold instead, even though that is highly speculative, functionally useless and pays no dividends at all.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Diminishing the hurt from people who have been directly affected by gun violence is a useless, cruel task.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

She followed her father’s dictums on health: Modern medicine was nearly useless, and the “good body” would heal itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The illustration showed a cow proudly standing next to a strange collection of useless objects labeled as tools.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

As I pull my goggles down, I scan each shelf for something which could render the toxin useless.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Vocabulary lists containing useless

Good Riddance

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Beowulf vocabulary

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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 8

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