avail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of availnext
as in use
the capacity for being useful for some purpose although I appreciate the concern, your help would be of little avail in this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

avail

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈvāl How to pronounce avail (audio)
as in to benefit
to provide with something useful or desirable all your begging will not avail you in the least

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 avail
Noun
The debtors tried to get Antero to release to them the proceeds of the oil & gas leases, but to no avail. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 The conductor, who had spotted de la Rosa ahead and sounded a warning horn to no avail, called for emergency services, but the illustrator was pronounced dead at the scene. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
Verb
The No campaign is arguing that language that opens the door to data center developers availing themselves of the streamlined CEQA system. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Arab states, too, will maintain working relations with Israel and continue to avail themselves of Israeli military and surveillance technology. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for avail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avail
  1. use
  2. benefit
  3. usefulness
Noun
  • The collection combines decorative and functional objects, with each piece designed around both its use and its story.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Stiles revealed that Parton had cleared the use of the song prior to her death in August.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of use
Verb
  • The Salty, an artisanal doughnut chain, is running a weeklong campaign benefiting the Breasties, a nonprofit that helps many groups of people affected by breast cancer.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, making the effort to maintain friendships can benefit you too, says Ayers, who researches the science of friendship and how to maintain connections.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of benefit
Noun
  • The assumed inference is that travelers rely on Google for their travel needs and that informative brochures and knowledgeable attendants are a quaint idea that has outlived its usefulness.
    — Frank Hosek, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, polling’s usefulness is limited, especially for an institution like the Supreme Court, writes Kate Shaw, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, in an email.
    — Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of usefulness

Phrases Containing avail

Browse Nearby Words

auxiliary
avail
availability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Avail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avail. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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