has-beens

Definition of has-beensnext
plural of has-been
as in relics
one that has passed the peak of effectiveness or popularity now a has-been, the actor's been reduced to appearing on a third-rate reality show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for has-beens
Noun
  • But those relics of history paled in comparison to the ambience — and opulence — of the Forest Theater.
    Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Their professional norms – editorial gatekeeping, standards for sourcing, verification of facts – are not bureaucratic relics.
    Charles Edward Gehrke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • How big would a telescope need to be to see Earth’s dinosaurs from 66 million light-years away?
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The researchers conducted advanced imaging and historical analysis that revealed the spikes on the dinosaurs were cornified and exceptionally preserved.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Has-beens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/has-beens. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!