Synonyms of mothball

mothball

verb

as in to dismantle

to stop using (something) while keeping it to be possibly used in the future

Many navy ships were mothballed after the war.

Related Words

• dismantle
• phase out
• put aside
• kill
• shut off
• deactivate
• halt
• turn off
• brake
• cut off
• stick
• stall
• flick (off)
• draw up
• arrest
• chock
• jam

Dissimilar Words

• power
• generate
• push
• fire
• charge
• fuel
• switch
• launch
• discharge
• release
• trip
• electrify
• energize
• move
• start
• run
• set off
• reactivate
• drive
• activate
• trigger
• propel
• turn on
• spark
• recharge
• actuate
• touch off
• crank (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mothball

On the other, save for this outlier season when the Bucks did plenty to mothball him in what turned into his 36-game campaign, Antetokounmpo had played 67, 73, 63 and 67 games the previous four seasons. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026

Many fire engines are mothballed in city boneyards, and the department has lost nearly 50 more firefighters since the Palisades fire. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026

The aircraft were mothballed when operator Transaero declared failed in 2915. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026

Miller had taken to toying with the addition in spring training in recent years, only to essentially mothball the pitch. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026