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.

Scott said the try would have been a formality because his big brother was useless tackling on his inside.

From BBC • May 17, 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

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

In a useless, frantic gesture, Penelope threw her arms wide to protect the children.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing useless

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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 8

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