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wear 1 of 2

verb

ˈwer How to pronounce wear (audio)
Definition of wearnext
1
as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction all that walking every day wore the soles of my shoes very quickly

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2
as in to kill
to use up all the physical energy of the job of running their own business wears them sometimes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tolerate
British to put up with (something painful or difficult) her marriage is so bad—I don't know how she wears it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wear

2 of 2

noun

1
as in corrosion
the result of long and hard use after several years, the carpet was finally showing wear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clothes
covering for the human body the latest in fashionable wear

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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 wear
Verb
For a lunch outing at the Beverly Hills Hotel yesterday, Depp was the portrait of a lady in a knee-length black dress, worn with sheer black hosiery and a tan suede Chanel shoulder bag. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 Adidas is even reduced its use of carbon fiber to the rim of midsole on the Pro Evo 3, which was worn for the first (and second) sub-two-hour marathons in London this spring. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
Socks are the practical choice for daily wear, while boots suit post-exercise recovery or long days on your feet. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Their sporty silhouettes made from recycled plastic bottles have a contemporary streetwise feel, and the spring 2027 collection featured a range of fun scarf and polka-dot prints rarely seen in the outdoor-wear universe. — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear
  1. erode
  2. kill
  3. tolerate
  4. corrosion
  5. clothing
  6. fray
  7. tire
  8. endure
Verb
  • Bigger paychecks sought While the economy may be showing signs of acceleration, stubborn inflation has eroded Americans’ take-home pay.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • And the risk factors — high spending, low growth, rising debt and elevated borrowing costs — lead some economists to warn that while Russia's economy has not collapsed, its structural foundations are eroding dangerously.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • In January 2025, an American Airlines regional jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, killing all 67 people aboard the two aircraft.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • This is, quite frankly, baloney — who’s to say the Manhunter didn’t kill and take the form of someone already living in the town?
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of kill
Verb
  • If tolerated, players can also attend team meetings and film study.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • His warning was meant for American eyes and ears at least as much — if not more so — than for the government in Jerusalem that until now has encouraged the hoodlums by tolerating their violence.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Aluminum targets tougher battery demands The coated aluminum can be used for battery enclosures and casings, where corrosion protection can help improve component durability.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The company has paired AI with wall-climbing robots to detect corrosion, predict equipment failures, and reduce shutdown times, Semafor reported.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of corrosion
Noun
  • The family has several immediate needs, including clothing, food, personal items and help with temporary living expenses, Sharp said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The craft show attracted more than 300 artisans displaying handmade items, artwork, home décor, clothing, jewelry and gifts throughout downtown Frankfort, including paintings, yard art, wood carvings, suncatchers, candles and caramel apples.
    — Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of clothing
Verb
  • Despite fraying relations with FIFA, the vibe once the sport began was largely good.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to Robinhood, OG’s exchange powers sports bets for FanDuel Predicts, expanding that relationship as FanDuel’s partnership with CME Group appeared to fray.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • 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
  • In other words, an evening session does not just tire you out.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of tire
Verb
  • Exploring the dialogue between Italy’s artisanal heritage and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the event considers how the handmade endures in an era of rapid innovation.
    — Eleonora Giordani, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
  • That was a disquieting pointer to Federal Reserve Board policy, for the central bank counted controlling inflation, not enduring full employment, as one of its mandates.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of endure

Phrases Containing wear

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weapons
wear
wearables
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Cite this Entry

“Wear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wear

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