Synonyms of wear

wear 1 of 2

verb

ˈwer 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erode
• fray
• rub
• reduce
• eat
• shave
• chafe
• bite
• abrade
• erase
• corrade
• fret
• sharpen
• gall
• scrape
• frazzle
• wear out
• chew
• gnaw
• file
• graze
• scour
• wipe (away)
• disintegrate
• rasp
• decompose
• scuff
• nibble
• corrode
• sandblast
• grate
• grind
• rub out
• sandpaper
• dissolve
• whet
• hone
• break down
• break up

2

as in to kill

to use up all the physical energy of

the job of running their own business wears them sometimes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kill
• tire
• exhaust
• drain
• bust
• break
• weary
• wear out
• outwear
• harass
• waste
• fatigue
• knock out
• burn out
• wash out
• fag
• tucker (out)
• frazzle
• weaken
• wear to a frazzle
• do in
• do up
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• sap
• enervate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• activate
• strengthen
• energize
• rest
• relax
• rejuvenate
• unwind
• invigorate
• vitalize

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tolerate
• endure
• stand
• accept
• handle
• take
• bear
• sustain
• absorb
• stomach
• meet
• abide
• swallow
• stick out
• stand for
• go
• countenance
• live with
• support
• lump (it)
• suffer
• hack
• sweat out
• brook
• bide
• pocket
• tough it out
• permit
• allow
• reconcile (to)
• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• agree (with or to)
• acquiesce
• respect
• consent (to)
• capitulate
• assent (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• dismiss
• resist
• fight
• decline
• avoid
• oppose
• combat
• repudiate
• escape
• turn down
• miss
• contest
• spurn
• evade
• circumvent
• bypass
• refrain (from)
• elude
• dodge
• abstain (from)
• forbear

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• corrosion
• fatigue
• wear and tear
• erosion
• abrasion
• deterioration
• decomposition
• disintegration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repair
• fixing
• reconstruction
• rebuilding
• renovation
• mending
• reconditioning
• patching
• revamping

2

as in clothes

covering for the human body

the latest in fashionable wear

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clothes
• clothing
• attire
• dress
• garments
• apparel
• costume
• gear
• garb
• rags
• vestments
• toggery
• raiment
• vesture
• threads
• weeds
• livery
• duds
• wearables
• clobber
• togs
• rigging
• rig
• costumery
• outfit
• habit
• wardrobe
• vestiary
• habiliment(s)
• underwear
• finery
• ensemble
• regalia
• guise
• couture
• trim
• tailoring
• frock
• pretties
• getup
• glad rags
• bravery
• civvies
• tatters
• sportswear
• underclothes
• outerwear
• garderobe
• frippery
• gaiety
• caparison
• mufti
• playwear
• foofaraw
• ready-to-wear
• tawdry
• trumpery
• sleepwear
• loungewear
• gaudery
• activewear
• array
• nightclothes
• menswear
• smallclothes
• haberdashery
• prêt-à-porter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wear

Verb

The image showed a younger Bloom wearing a back brace while riding a bicycle. — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

London stockbrokers went to work wearing black armbands in mourning for the loss of their heroic detective. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

In This Article Kitchen cabinets get a lot of wear since they’re constantly being opened, slammed, and bumped all day long. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026

The linen-blend fabric is also lightweight and easy to move in for all-day wear. — Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing wear

• wear and tear
• wear on
• wear out
• wear to a frazzle