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
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So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.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
Sartorial inheritance is perhaps innocuous, even if personally significant, whereas conflating outworn ideas of identity with homage is profoundly dangerous.
—Aram Mrjoian, Longreads, 15 June 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
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So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.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
Sartorial inheritance is perhaps innocuous, even if personally significant, whereas conflating outworn ideas of identity with homage is profoundly dangerous.
—Aram Mrjoian, Longreads, 15 June 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
-
Or why roads and other critical infrastructure projects now take untold years and insane amounts of money to complete, and by the time they are finally opened are already rendered all but obsolete?—
Lee Steinhauer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The electrical infrastructure was obsolete, deemed undersized and non-compliant with current code.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When oil prices slid and mismanagement came due, the country staggered into hyperinflation, shortages, and mass migration, culminating in a full‑blown humanitarian crisis that outlived Chávez and deepened under his successor, Nicolás Maduro.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The Critics Choice Awards aired Sunday night from Los Angeles, paying tribute not only to the stars that lit up the big screen in 2025, but also to those whose impact outlived them.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This black dress was particularly designed to be worn in the moonlight.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In the sister-sister pic, Kidman’s strawberry-blonde hair is parted in the center and worn in long ringlets down her back, looking gorgeous against her chartreuse lace dress and delicate pink blush and lipstick.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rejecting the streamlining and modernizing approach of many recent translations, Mendelsohn artfully reproduces the epic’s formal qualities—meter, enjambment, alliteration, assonance—and in so doing restores to Homer’s masterwork its archaic grandeur.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Nearly 20 years later, the law may seem archaic, the Enquirer previously reported, and may be a violation of the First Amendment.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ewing never married or had children, but is survived by other family members, per Extra.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Despite the rest of the royal family being executed, their eldest daughter, Marie-Thérèse, survived.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Many blue-city residents who have noticed a decrease in crime surely appreciate the safer streets, an environment that tired old No Kings boomers will never have to navigate.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The pair led City to the Third Division title in May 1985, but triumph turned to tragedy on the final day of the season as the antiquated main stand caught fire with devastating consequences.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Insufferable antiquated federal standards reflect low expectations that do not meet the modern day needs of working New Yorkers.—
Gian Carlo Pedulla,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And Detroit ultimately outlasted the Bulls because of its ability to overpower in the paint.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Ole Miss and its high-scoring offense blew out Tulane in its opening CFP game and outlasted mighty Georgia 39-34 in the semifinals.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outworn. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share