worthless

[wurth-lis] / ˈwɜrθ lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

of no use; without value

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barren bogus futile inconsequential ineffective insignificant meaningless mediocre pointless unimportant unproductive unprofitable unusable useless

WEAK

abandoned abject base cheap contemptible counterproductive despicable empty good-for-nothing ignoble ineffectual inferior inutile miserable no-account no-good nothing nugatory paltry poor profitless sterile trashy trifling trivial unavailing unessential valueless waste wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beneficial fruitful helpful important meaningful productive profitable significant useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

worthy

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.

Bear Stearns’s funds were leveraged at a 3-to-1 ratio, stuffed with opaque collateralized debt obligations tied to a collapsing housing market, and the assets ultimately proved nearly worthless.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

Saber-rattling trumpet and timpani intrude and are shushed away as worthless.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

A democratic state must never treat any citizen as entirely worthless.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

He spoke of how he lost his country home to regime supporters and lives on a pension that’s nearly worthless because of inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Indeed, with some restrictive relatives, which is the only option, such as That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and The book in which I scribbled my notes is worthless.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

worthless

Example Sentences

Related Words