serve

Definition of servenext
1
as in to attend
to be a servant for he served his master faithfully for 20 years

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2
as in to suffice
to be enough they made the pasta serve for eight guests

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3
as in to do
to be fitting or proper those old riding boots will serve for now, but you'll need newer ones for the horse show

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4
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way my parents served me well in preparing me for life

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5
as in to act
to have a certain purpose the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson

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6
as in to benefit
to provide with something useful or desirable an excellent college that served her with the skills necessary to make it in today's job market

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of serve America’s favorite Big Game drink is beer—drinks that come in a can are also undeniably easy to serve. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026 Pizza ranks second, with as many as 14 million pies served. J. Mark Powell, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026 Orbán — currently the longest-serving national leader in the EU — faces an unprecedented challenge at a general election slated for April 12. CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026 López Serrano was released from federal custody after serving his term and allowed to remain in the United States. Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve
Verb
  • The Independent reported that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is also facing Epstein connected controversy over the appointment and subsequent firing of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States, attended the reception.
    James Powel, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Jahmila Edwards, the mayor’s head of intergovernmental affairs, Simonia Brown, a senior adviser, and Emmy Liss, head of child care, also attended the hearing.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Good intentions alone won’t suffice.
    Carol Platt Liebau, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Drinks director Joey Hernandez says that, often, a budget wine storage solution will suffice.
    Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The southern Portuguese city of Alcacer do Sal, about 60 miles from Lisbon, was battling rising waters from the river Sado, with downtown areas flooded and water levels measuring roughly 7 feet high in some places.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • For people that are not tracking what that actually means, that means that ICE can do almost no arrests in the entire country … If a court rules that there’s a final order of removal, they’re removed actually by an administrative warrant, not a judicial warrant.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Thursday’s move reflects lawmakers’ significant interest in how foreign allies treat American companies.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Lovely was arrested in connection with the stabbing and is also being treated at Atrium Hospital.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Harald’s physical health has deteriorated in recent years, requiring Haakon to act as regent on occasion.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Jeff D'Onofrio, chief financial officer of the newspaper owned by Jeff Bezos, will serve as acting publisher and CEO, the Post said, according to Reuters.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The side-effect question Some investors are looking for winners in the AI boom by finding companies that might benefit from the side effects.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The White House is banking that bigger tax refunds this spring will benefit Republicans in the fall, but some strategists and economists project that the political upside will be short-lived, Politico reports.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Tara Lewis, spokesperson for the city’s Economic Development Department, said the decision to terminate the lease fits with the goals outlined in the audit and is not an indication the course won’t reopen.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The assault in the restroom seems to fit into a pattern of men exploiting or hurting Sweetpea.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Chief Deputy Chris Ketteman, who ranks just below the sheriff, decides whether each complaint warrants an internal affairs investigation or can be handled by a supervisor.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • But Morgan, Dave Canales and Brandt Tilis have a history of locking up homegrown players who handle their business on and off the field.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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