worthless

adjective

worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs How to pronounce worthless (audio)
Synonyms of worthlessnext
1
a
: lacking worth : valueless
worthless currency
b
: useless
worthless to continue searching
2
: contemptible, despicable
a worthless criminal
worthlessly adverb
worthlessness noun

Examples of worthless in a Sentence

The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you. She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.
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.
Remove those incentives and innovation will slow – while farmers’ already substantial investments become worthless. John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026 The handwash sink next to the three-compartment sink proved worthless without soap, paper towels or a mechanical blower. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 In an economy where wages are anchored to what compute would cost to replicate human work, human labor becomes economically marginal—not worthless, but negligibly small relative to the overall pie. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026 America has already achieved an important objective by restoring credibility to our deterrence since military power is worthless if adversaries don’t believe this power will ever be employed. Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worthless

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of worthless was circa 1577

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Cite this Entry

“Worthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worthless. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

worthless

adjective
worth·​less ˈwərth-ləs How to pronounce worthless (audio)
1
a
: lacking worth : valueless
b
: useless
worthless to continue searching
2
: deserving of hatred or pity
a worthless coward
worthlessly adverb
worthlessness noun

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