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.

Russell’s befuddled Jackson is as useless as a traffic cone but Blunt’s Margaret is a gas before the movie makes her go all glassy-eyed and solemn.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Justice Madlanga stated that his sick note was "useless" and Mogotsi reluctantly returned for cross-examination in May.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Physical encyclopedias and textbooks were rendered virtually useless.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

I’ve seen too many parents of friends and family find out their long-term care plans are basically useless, which is why I am not interested in long-term care insurance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

And the stalemate on the Western Front, with entrenched armies dug in and facing each other across no man’s land, made the cavalry almost useless.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

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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