Synonyms for Worth

Updated 2026-10-12 · Synonyms List editorial team

Quick answer: Common synonyms for worth include value, merit, importance, significance, and usefulness. Used as a noun, worth can mean money value, personal quality, or the benefit something brings. This page sorts alternatives by formality and strength and gives a short example sentence for each, so you can match the meaning to your sentence.

Closest Synonyms for Worth

value: The most direct substitute. The value of the painting has doubled.
merit: Good quality that deserves praise. The plan has real merit.
importance: The degree to which something matters. Teachers stress the importance of sleep.
significance: Meaning or weight. The discovery has great significance for science.
usefulness: How well something serves a purpose. The usefulness of the tool is clear.
price: What something would cost or fetch. The price of the old watch surprised her.
cost: Money needed to buy something. The cost of the house rose by ten percent.
benefit: The good that comes from something. The benefit of exercise is well known.
quality: A level of excellence. The quality of her work earned praise.
excellence: High worth in a person or thing. His excellence as a teacher was clear.
virtue: Good moral worth. Honesty is a virtue in any trade.
utility: Practical usefulness. The utility of the app is hard to beat.

Formal Synonyms for Worth

valuation: An official estimate of value. The valuation of the estate took a month.
worthiness: The quality of deserving respect. Her worthiness for the award was never in doubt.
import: Importance or meaning. Few grasped the import of the discovery.
moment: Great importance. It was a matter of great moment.
consequence: Importance in effect. The issue is of little consequence.
weight: Influence or importance. His opinion carries weight with the board.
preciousness: The quality of being valuable or dear. The preciousness of clean water is easy to forget.
caliber: Level of quality or ability. The caliber of the staff impressed the visitors.
estimation: Judgment of value. In my estimation, the plan is sound.
stature: Standing or reputation gained through merit. The scholar's stature grew each year.

Informal Synonyms for Worth

payoff: The reward you get. The payoff for studying was a scholarship.
bang for the buck: Good value for money spent. This phone gives you plenty of bang for the buck.
street value: What something would fetch on the open market. The street value of the bike is about two hundred dollars.
going rate: The usual current price. The going rate for a lawn mowing is thirty dollars.
mileage: Useful benefit gained. You get a lot of mileage from a good coat.
upside: The good side or reward. The upside of the job is the flexible schedule.
price tag: The money amount tied to something. The price tag on the house shocked us.
selling point: A feature that adds appeal. Low fees are a big selling point.
clout: Influence and worth in people's eyes. Her clout in the town is high.
stock: Standing or reputation. His stock rose after the speech.

Stronger and Weaker Words

treasure: Stronger. Use when worth is very high and dear. The old letter is a family treasure.
fortune: Stronger. Use for a very large money value. The collection is worth a fortune.
prize: Stronger. Use for something greatly valued and sought. The rare book is a collector's prize.
gem: Stronger. Use for something exceptionally good. The bakery is a hidden gem.
use: Weaker. Use for basic helpfulness. The old map is of little use.
avail: Weaker. Use for small benefit. All our efforts were to no avail.
point: Weaker. Use for purpose or sense. There is no point in arguing.
interest: Weaker. Use for mild appeal. The book holds little interest for me.

Antonyms for Worth

worthlessness
uselessness
insignificance
futility
triviality
unimportance
emptiness
cheapness
vanity
valuelessness

How to Pick the Right Synonym

Decide whether worth means money, quality, or usefulness. Value, price, and cost suit money matters, while merit, excellence, and virtue suit personal or moral quality. Importance, significance, and weight suit influence on decisions, and utility or benefit suit practical use. Formal writing prefers valuation or caliber, and casual speech prefers payoff or bang for the buck.

Best Synonym by Situation

In a resume: Use value for contributions. I added value by cutting costs by twelve percent.
In an essay: Use merit for quality. The merit of the argument lies in its clear evidence.
In a real estate report: Use valuation for formal estimates. The valuation was completed before the sale.
In a product review: Use bang for the buck for good deals. The grill gives you real bang for the buck.
In a performance review: Use caliber for ability. The caliber of her work is high.
In a school speech: Use importance for lessons. Never forget the importance of kindness.
In a legal ruling: Use consequence for weight. The error was of little consequence.
In an auction catalog: Use price for sale amounts. The price of the vase was set at six hundred dollars.
In a casual chat: Use payoff for rewards. The long drive had a great payoff.
In a biography: Use stature for reputation. His stature in the field grew.

Example Sentences

The appraiser noted the high value of the antique desk.
The merit of the proposal won over the skeptical board.
Teachers emphasized the importance of reading daily.
The significance of the find was not clear for years.
The usefulness of a sharp knife is obvious to any cook.
The benefit of fresh fruit in a daily diet is well documented.
The caliber of the athletes at the meet was remarkable.
The price of the ticket included a free map.
Honesty is a virtue that money cannot buy.
Few people understood the import of the new law.

Related Phrases and Idioms

Worth its weight in gold: Extremely valuable or useful.
For what it's worth: A phrase used when offering an opinion that may or may not matter.
Worth your while: Deserving the time or effort you spend.
Money's worth: Good value for the money spent.
Salt of the earth: A person of great honest worth.
Priceless: So valuable that no price could match it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for worth?

Common alternatives are value, merit, importance, significance, and usefulness. Use value for money, merit for quality that deserves praise, and importance or significance when you mean how much something matters.

What is a formal word for worth?

Valuation, worthiness, import, and caliber are formal options. Valuation suits official estimates of money value, while caliber suits the level of quality of a person or group.

What is the difference between worth and value?

Value is the general word for how much something is worth in money or importance. Worth often has a personal or moral feel, as in a person's worth, while value is more common in business.

What is the opposite of worth?

Worthlessness and uselessness are the clearest opposites. Insignificance and futility also work when you mean something has little importance or produces no benefit at all.