Synonyms and antonyms of To use something, or to be used in British Thesaurus

repurpose (verb)

to reuse something for a different purpose from the one that was originally intended

go towards ()

to be used to help to pay for something

bring in ()

to use the skills of a particular group or person

fall back on ()

to use or do something else after other things have failed

draw on ()

to use something that you have gradually gained or saved

pour into ()

to give a lot of effort, money, or help to someone or something

base on ()

to use particular ideas or facts to make a decision, do a calculation, or develop a theory

adopt (verb)

to start using a particular way of speaking, thinking, or behaving that is not the one you usually use

use (verb)

to get a benefit for yourself from something that is available to you

apply (verb)

to use a particular method, process, law etc

apply (verb)

to use a particular name or word for someone or something

apply (verb)

formal to use physical force in order to make something happen or work

avail (verb)

Indian English to obtain or use something

avail yourself of something ()

if you avail yourself of something, you use it

borrow (verb)

to receive and use something that belongs to someone else, and promise to give it back to them later

borrow (verb)

to use an idea, method, phrase etc that was first used by another person or in another place or situation

bring back ()

to start using or doing things that were used or done in the past

call on ()

to decide to use something that someone can offer you

channel (verb)

to use money or supplies for a particular purpose

channel (verb)

to use your energy, ability, feelings, or ideas for a particular purpose

christen (verb)

informal to use something for the first time

come into use ()

to start being used by people

commit (verb)

to say that you will use available things or people for a particular purpose

consume (verb)

to use a supply of something such as time, energy, or fuel

co-opt (verb)

mainly American to take someone’s idea or plan and use it as if it were your own

dedicate to ()

to spend your time and effort doing something

dedicate to ()

to use space, time, or money for a particular thing

deploy (verb)

formal to use something

devote to ()

to spend a lot of time or effort doing something

devote to ()

to use something such as money for a particular purpose

devote to ()

to use a particular amount of time or space for dealing with something

disinter (verb)

formal to start using something that has not been used or seen for a long time

divert (verb)

to use something for a purpose that is different from its original or main purpose

do the job ()

if something does the job, you can use it for something, even if it was not designed for this

dust off ()

to get something ready to use that you have not used for a long time

earmark (verb)

to decide to use something, especially money, for a particular purpose

employ (verb)

formal to use something for a particular purpose

exercise (verb)

to use a skill or personal quality, especially in order to avoid problems

exercise (verb)

formal to use your power or rights

exert (verb)

formal to use influence, authority, or power in order to affect or achieve something

expend (verb)

formal to use time, energy, money etc doing something

exploit (verb)

to use natural resources such as trees, water, or oil so that you gain as much as possible

feed off ()

to use something in order to continue to exist or become stronger

give over to (formal)

formal to use something for a particular purpose

go (verb)

to be spent

go into ()

to be used or spent in order to do something

harness (verb)

to get control of something in order to use it for a particular purpose

import (verb)

to introduce and use words, ideas etc from other countries or cultures

invest in ()

to use something such as time or effort for a particular purpose

lift (verb)

if you lift someone else’s words or ideas, you use them and pretend that they are yours

make free with something ()

to use something that does not belong to you as though it does belong to you

make use of ()

to use someone or something for a particular purpose, especially one that brings a benefit to you

manipulate (verb)

to skilfully handle, control, or use something

mobilise ()

a British spelling of mobilize

mobilize (verb)

to start to use all the money, support etc that is available in order to achieve something

parlay (verb)

mainly American to use something that you have in order to get something much better or much more valuable

phase in ()

to gradually start using something

play with ()

if you play with words or ideas, you use them in a clever and funny way

press someone/something into service ()

to use an object for a purpose that it was not intended for

put something to good use ()

to use something that you have for a sensible purpose that brings a benefit to you

reallocate (verb)

to decide officially that something will be used for a different purpose

recycle (verb)

to use something again, often for a different purpose

redirect (verb)

to use money or effort for a different purpose

reuse (verb)

to use something again, sometimes for a different purpose

scrape the bottom of the barrel ()

to use or do something that you know is not very good, because you do not have anything better

serve (verb)

to be used for a particular purpose, especially not the main or original purpose

spend (verb)

to use your time, effort, or energy to do something

take (verb)

to use a product regularly

take advantage of something ()

to use a situation or opportunity to get what you want

tap (verb)

if you tap something such as someone’s ability or a supply of information, you use it or get some benefit from it

touch (verb)

to use something

translate (verb)

if an idea or method translates, or if you translate it to a different situation, it is used in a different situation

transpose (verb)

to use an idea or method in a different situation from the one it was originally developed in

use (verb)

to take an amount from a supply of something in order to do a job or to achieve a result

utilise ()

a British spelling of utilize

utilize (verb)

formal to use something

wield (verb)

to hold a weapon or tool and use it