dilapidated 1 of 2

adjective

də-ˈla-pə-ˌdā-təd How to pronounce dilapidated (audio)
Definition of dilapidatednext
as in neglected
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect a dilapidated car that had seen better days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dilapidated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dilapidate
as in degraded

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dilapidated
Adjective
The developer would tear down and renovate some of the dilapidated affordable units. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026 But neighbors call him when trash is not picked up or a dilapidated property becomes a problem. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026 This year alone, the Kansas City Fire Department has put out 24 fires in the vacant, dilapidated complex. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Velasco says corruption and low oil prices in the early 2000s contributed to the dilapidated state of Venezuela's facilities. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dilapidated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilapidated
  1. neglected
  2. degraded
  3. abandoned
  4. decomposed
  5. desolate
  6. corrupted
  7. miserable
  8. disintegrated
Adjective
  • Investors and analysts are increasingly looking to other parts of the market, both to find neglected sources of value and to start assuming a defensive posture against a possible downturn.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Changing their environment is more reliable and more neglected.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of neglected
Verb
  • With so few ancient samples of dodo DNA surviving—and that which does exist having degraded over the centuries—the analytic and number-crunching power of AI is just what’s needed to fill in the genetic blanks.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Russia’s constant attacks on factories, energy supply systems and the railways means that steel supply to the Ukrainian armed forces is also being degraded.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of degraded
Adjective
  • By the time viewers reach hour 15, the staff has spent an entire shift navigating a cyberattack that forces the emergency department to abandon digital systems, a nonstop influx of Fourth of July emergencies and an abandoned baby.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • According to the gallery, the 25-minute film is set in a semi-abandoned hotel near Tokyo and reimagines the Greek myth of the goddess Persephone’s abduction by Hades.
    — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
Definition of abandoned
Verb
  • Sealed inside the crust, the wood slowly decomposed, leaving hollow molds.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the remains were severely decomposed, but investigators believed Montgomery had been dead for less than a day when he was found.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of decomposed
Adjective
  • As filmmakers, they were drawn to the unexpected beauty of the desolate, postindustrial landscape.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Obscenities, the referee’s whistle, and the thud of boots into balls—and sometimes shins—easily carry across these desolate fields.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of desolate
Verb
  • The original 1971 experiment was conducted by psychology professor Philip Zimbardo, who arbitrarily split volunteers into two groups—inmates and guards—and observed how power corrupted them.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Rousseau argued that societies were happiest before agriculture and metal production corrupted them.
    — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of corrupted
Adjective
  • Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati – the latest miserable day during this depressing season - crystallized several issues that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley must navigate in the days and weeks ahead.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Probably get out and do that, like, half-walk, half-jog thing and then show up, like, really sweaty and miserable.
    — Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of miserable
Verb
  • After 14 years of exploration, the Galileo spacecraft intentionally fell into Jupiter and disintegrated in the planet's dense atmosphere.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But slack defending allowed Chelsea’s individual quality to shine and as the match wore on, United’s confidence disintegrated.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of disintegrated

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Cite this Entry

“Dilapidated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilapidated. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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