serve

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Zaha will serve a one-game suspension against Nashville after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season Saturday. Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026 At Moss, ingredients are locally sourced, and the vegetables and fruits served are grown from greenhouses using geothermal energy. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026 In the Colorado legislature, the white flag comes in the form of the state budget — the introduction of which serves as a signal that the frantic final weeks of the legislative session have begun. The Denver Post, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026 Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serve
Verb
  • Parents said the historical significance of the moment made attending the watch party a must.
    Samantha Chaney, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The school is run by the nonprofit group Shining Hope for Communities and many students attend through grants.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The play subverts itself, never allowing an audience to gain a commanding foothill, even at the end when (suffice it to say) the watchers become the watched.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • International flights still require a valid passport or acceptable alternative; a Real ID card alone will not suffice.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The fact that the President is now signalling a messy retreat has nothing to do with insufficient lethality and everything to do with politics—in particular, the alarm in the global oil markets and the American public’s widespread opposition to the war.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • If a friend volunteers input, accept their assistance with gratitude rather than doing everything alone for the best results.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The script, by Ed Solomon, treats the Sklar siblings as cardboard grotesques—heartless, talentless, united in their loathing of a father who loathes them right back.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Later Wednesday, the SLS upper stage sent Integrity into a high Earth orbit ranging as far as 46,000 miles away, treating the crew to the sight of a lunar eclipse along the way.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Keep your eyes open for new opportunities and be ready to act.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
  • This has parents concerned and states across the political spectrum starting to act.
    Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That could benefit a candidate like McAdams, who built a broad base during his previous campaign.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • October 23 – November 21 Group efforts benefit from clear, shared aims.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Geno Smith, who eventually became the starting QB in Seattle, also fit the mold of journeyman passer.
    Mike Kaye April 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Plus, its slender base fits inside most cupholders and water bottle bags.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As part of the Waldorf’s rebirth, the French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon handled the hotel’s interiors, furniture, and amenities.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Pawel Chudzicki, whose law firm handled the licenses for Global Risk, told me that the State Department had conducted an inquiry in response to the Associated Press article and identified no violations of the law.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Serve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serve. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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