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So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.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So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.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
-
But as technology reshapes health and wellness, that simple number is starting to look obsolete.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Parmar also deliberately streamlines clinic notes by encouraging his providers to avoid the common habit of copying and pasting blocks of obsolete or redundant information in favor of quick updates that can be scanned easily at subsequent visits.—
Helen Ouyang,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But with the advent of new materials and technologies in the latter half of the 20th century, many of these styles outlived their usefulness in the original contexts they were meant to be worn.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Samuel Adams also outlived his.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Looking ahead, this is an ideal top for layering under other sweaters or worn on its own during holiday parties and weekend plans.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The glasses feature a small controller worn in the delivery vest that contains operational controls, a swappable battery ensuring all-day use, and a dedicated emergency button to reach emergency services along their routes if needed.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Also, archaic Scottish word for brave.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps, the time has come to go beyond archaic political loyalties and engage issues on the basis of evidence, merit, and truth, not short-term political expediency.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sophia’s brother, who was with her that day, survived unharmed.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The two supes are the only two babies known to have survived the experiment of injecting Compound V into utero babies (which resulted in the deaths of several other babies receiving the same treatment).—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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
-
Both are now antiquated relics to be housed, and studied, in a museum.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
-
That outlook feels askew and antiquated.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Oklahoma City Thunder closed the 2024-25 NBA regular season with a 68-14 record, the best win total in franchise history, and then outlasted the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in a seven-game NBA Finals.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
After a hat trick against Nashville SC to close the MLS regular season, Messi outlasted LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge to win the 2025 scoring crown with 29 goals.—
Avi Creditor,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outworn. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share