wear out

verb

wore out; worn out; wearing out; wears out

transitive verb

1

: tire, exhaust

2

: to make useless especially by long or hard usage

3

: erase, efface

4

: to endure through : outlast

wear out a storm

5

: to consume (time) tediously

wear out idle days

intransitive verb

: to become useless from long or excessive wear or use

Synonyms

• break
• burn out
• bust
• do in
• do up
• drain
• exhaust
• fag
• fatigue
• frazzle
• harass
• kill
• knock out
• outwear
• tire
• tucker (out)
• wash out
• wear
• weary

Examples of wear out in a Sentence

keeping up with twin toddlers wears me out

Recent Examples on the Web

Six years from his last relationship, he's worn down, worn out and washed up, sick of a scene that feels like old news. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024

Meanwhile, its favorite tool, sanctions, is wearing out through frequent use. —Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2021

Made of soft foam rubber, allegedly of the same kind used in air-conditioning filters, the Miss Piggy puppets are said to wear out in six months. —Brad Darrach, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

Journey a bit farther for a visit to Lake Tahoe perfect for water activities (including scuba diving!), hiking, beaching…or getting a taste of luxury after worn out from Burning Man at The Ritz-Carlton Spa. —Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

wear out

verb

1

: to tire gradually

worn out from exercising

2

: to make or become useless by wear