outworn 1 of 2

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈwȯrn How to pronounce outworn (audio)
Definition of outwornnext
as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness outworn clothes with holes in them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outworn

2 of 2

verb

past participle of outwear
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
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 — Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022 So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times. — Washington Post, 9 May 2021 Now, two decades into a new century, the magazine remains, if anything, more committed than ever to its first principles—and most of all, to the need to rethink outworn assumptions and political superstitions as radically changing conditions demand. — Press Release, The New Republic, 26 Mar. 2021 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
  1. obsolete
  2. outlived
  3. worn
  4. archaic
  5. survived
  6. tired
  7. antiquated
  8. outlasted
Adjective
  • The spreadsheet era has lasted far too long, along with QA practices that were rendered obsolete three to four years ago.
    — Stefan Gogoll, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • For Picasso, the new was power; its will to render obsolete what came before was as irresistible as a force of nature.
    — Michael Brenson, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of obsolete
Verb
  • Archaeological evidence clearly shows that since large permanent settlements began to appear nearly ten millennia ago, most buildings simply outlived any one particular purpose, gradually accumulating alterations and new uses over time.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Still others will be negative or stale, reflecting perceptions that have outlived the reality behind them.
    — Lora Kratchounova, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of outlived
Verb
  • For millennial veterans who have worn the nation’s cloth, Veterans’ Day is an annual reminder to reflect on our service and to recommit to it.
    — Brandon J Archuleta, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The chore jacket became a signature style of one Harry Styles, who has long been a champion of the humble bleu de travail, the blue cotton work jacket originally worn by French laborers.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of worn
Adjective
  • In addition, the belief that hip-hop artists are required to acquiesce and musically circumscribe themselves to appease mainstream audiences is archaic in many respects.
    — Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, the belief that hip-hop artists are required to acquiesce and musically circumcise themselves to appease mainstream audiences is archaic in many respects.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of archaic
Verb
  • Besides, second terms--and especially their final two years--have proved treacherous for every recent president, including Reagan, who survived a major scandal involving arms sales to Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Keach, who was married four times, is survived by Malgosia, and his children, Shannon and Karolina.
    — Mark Kennedy, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of survived
Verb
  • For the project Winter and her team tired coupling plasma with electrocatalysis.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Shelton’s serve had manacled him just enough; the first set’s effort had tired him just enough.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Move beyond antiquated notions of making your first three seconds a logo and a tagline.
    — Phoena Pang, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Causes include an antiquated business model, declining advertising revenue and hedge-fund buyouts that have gutted papers.
    — Pamela E. Walck, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Verb
  • In the Division 3 final, Corona del Mar outlasted Newbury Park 24-26, 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 15-13 to capture its first section title in 22 years and the eighth in program history.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Coastal Academy outlasted Vincent Memorial in five sets to earn its first CIF championship match appearance.
    — Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of outlasted

Browse Nearby Words

outwore
outworn
oval
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outworn. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All