utilize
Make use of
Utilize means to use, often with a slightly formal or technical tone.
Some style guides consider it pretentious when plain use would suffice, but utilize sometimes implies putting something to a particular purpose or finding a use for something not obviously useful: We utilized the empty warehouse as a community center.
In scientific and business writing, utilize remains standard.
Put into service
- applyPut into operation
- implementTool or enact
- deployPosition for use
- harnessStraps controlling an animal
leverage · exploit · wield · engage · activate · operate · execute · administer
Make maximally effective
- maximizeIncrease to greatest extent
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
- conserveKeep from being depleted
- allocateDesignate for specific use
manage · stretch · ration · budget · economize · repurpose · recycle · reclaim
Perform without preparation
- adaptModify for new conditions
- repurposeAdapt for new use
- jury-rigImprovise temporary repair
- cobble togetherAssemble hastily from whatever's available
MacGyver · make do · scrounge · upcycle · convert · transform · retrofit · modify
use
Put into service
harness · leverage · exploit · wield · engage · activate · operate · execute · administer · invoke
optimize
Make maximally effective
- maximizeIncrease to greatest extent
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
- conserveKeep from being depleted
allocate · manage · stretch · ration · budget · economize · repurpose · recycle · reclaim · salvage
improvise
Perform without preparation
MacGyver · cobble together · make do · scrounge · upcycle · convert · transform · retrofit · modify · innovate
underutilize
Not fully exploit
- overutilizeConsume beyond sustainable levels
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- untappedNot yet utilized
dormant · latent · potential · available · spare · reserve · surplus · unused · peak performance
- useuse, employ, apply, usage, consume
- make the most ofcapitalize, exploit, seize, leverage, harness
- grammar debatesirregardless, ain't, split infinitive, singular they, could of
- exploitationexploit, predatory, sex trafficking, take advantage, human trafficking
- formal verbsrequest, inquire, require, submit, proceed
- formal wordshereby, herein, thereof, thereby, whereby
- utility sinkDeep basin for rough work
- utility beltsWaist gear organizers
- utility billCharge for essential services
- utility expensesCosts for essential services
- utility knifeRetractable multi-purpose blade
- utility company
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