mothballs

verb

present tense third-person singular of mothball
as in dismantles
to stop using (something) while keeping it to be possibly used in the future Many navy ships were mothballed after the war.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for mothballs
dismantles
Verb
  • What this framework dismantles is a common and counterproductive myth—that friendships either spark instantly or are not worth pursuing.
    — Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Economic incentives would be phased in as Tehran turns over nuclear material, dismantles nuclear facilities, and demonstrates a commitment to regional stability, the senior administration official said.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 12 June 2026
Definition of dismantles
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

mothballing
mothballs
moth-eaten
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Cite this Entry

“Mothballs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mothballs. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mothballs for Spanish Speakers

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