as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness
outworn clothes with holes in them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in outlived
to last longer than
these running shoes have outworn any others that I have ever bought
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in worn
to use up all the physical energy of
a daily grind that would outwear anybody
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 outworn
Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Perhaps that’s the legacy of outworn stereotypes about corruption or a lack of the type of political will that’s brought more rapid changes to corporate governance and sustainable investing standards in, for example, some Nordic countries.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022
This colossal tactical error has been compounded by the lingering centrist deference to a long-outworn image of the Supreme Court as a grand impartial arbiter of constitutional outcomes.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 10 Feb. 2022
So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.
—Washington Post, 9 May 2021
With his understanding of and affection for the hardy inhabitants of the mountainous American West, Walker-Silverman brings a new and tender radiance to the idea of regional filmmaking, along with an awareness of outworn stereotypes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
In the week to come use the opportunities and insights that arise to rid yourself of outworn ideas, attitudes and habits.
—Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, 11 Aug. 2019
This was not a forgone conclusion at the time; indeed, during the 1930s, democracy was widely viewed as an outworn political form.
—Taeku Lee, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2013
Adjective
Setting recent works among older ones is an effective element of LACMA’s overall plan to shed outworn hierarchies.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Perhaps that’s the legacy of outworn stereotypes about corruption or a lack of the type of political will that’s brought more rapid changes to corporate governance and sustainable investing standards in, for example, some Nordic countries.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022
This colossal tactical error has been compounded by the lingering centrist deference to a long-outworn image of the Supreme Court as a grand impartial arbiter of constitutional outcomes.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 10 Feb. 2022
So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.
—Washington Post, 9 May 2021
With his understanding of and affection for the hardy inhabitants of the mountainous American West, Walker-Silverman brings a new and tender radiance to the idea of regional filmmaking, along with an awareness of outworn stereotypes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
In the week to come use the opportunities and insights that arise to rid yourself of outworn ideas, attitudes and habits.
—Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, 11 Aug. 2019
This was not a forgone conclusion at the time; indeed, during the 1930s, democracy was widely viewed as an outworn political form.
—Taeku Lee, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outworn
Adjective
-
Our elections have fixed what’s wrong over the decades, but thinking a tired candidate with a long resume is the answer should now be obsolete.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
-
The Retail Investor Has Arrived, For Good Now, that assumption is becoming obsolete, and at lightning speed.—
Harry Temkin,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Many of these works have far outlived their creators.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
The presumption that a woman’s wedding should be the best day of her life has outlived many waves of feminism.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Percy Steinhart—the late designer of velvet slippers worn by the likes of Anne Hathaway, Lady Gaga, and the former king of Spain—was the owner of this Federal-style beauty in Litchfield, originally built in 1874.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
-
The bras ahead are designed with that in mind, offering a close fit, supportive underwire, and versatile straps that can be worn multiple ways.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
The very details that make the genre come alive—the archaic syntax, the outfits, the feelings—are the ones that haven’t survived into the present day or that the writer made up.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
This rule has evolved, though it’s not considered completely archaic.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The teen survived and is recovering from his injuries, authorities said.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Originally founded in 1881 by the Harvey brothers, the distillery survived wars, economic downturns, and multiple closures before shutting down entirely in 1994.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
But muddy conditions led to slop and chaos, and tired out the front-runners after a very fast opening pace, clearing the way for the closer to do his thing.—
Peter Keating,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The technology was largely depicted as a portal to the future, a tonic for the ailing Los Angeles production sector, and a way to finally wriggle free from the bonds of antiquated studio protocols.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
-
When leaders continue applying old frameworks to environments that no longer behave predictably, the result can show up as misaligned outcomes, antiquated processes, and teams that stop telling the truth.—
Mary Hemphill,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs outlasted the reigning champions, Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in a tense deciding game.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
-
The public concern outlasted that resolution.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outworn. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
