wear out

verb

wore out; worn out; wearing out; wears out

transitive verb

1
2
: to make useless especially by long or hard usage
3
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

Examples of wear out in a Sentence

keeping up with twin toddlers wears me out
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
However, in the South, where fall tends to be milder, our sweaters need to be even more versatile in order to get the most wear out of them. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025 Workers wore out their shoes every eight days, the worker said. Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 9 Oct. 2025 If your workwear drawer is filled with old, worn out clothes, now’s the time to gear up. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Clean and sleek, they can be worn while sightseeing, thanks to their next-level support and cushioning, but are classy enough to be worn out to dinner. Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wear out

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear out was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Wear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20out. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

wear out

verb
1
: to tire gradually
worn out from exercising
2
: to make or become useless by wear

More from Merriam-Webster on wear out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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