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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Pitbull just broke the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps with 22,141 baldies — this is what Pitbull calls his fans who wear bald caps. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 July 2026 Coming in six bright colors to channel the vibrant energy of summer, this fresh button-down deserves a place in your suitcase for upcoming getaways and everyday wear alike. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Noun
The commercial seal stabilized after a 10-day wear-in period, during which friction created a microscopic gap that balanced internal pressure. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026 Poor thermostat placement can cause inaccurate readings, higher energy bills, HVAC wear, and uncomfortable home temperatures. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 15 July 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
  • Without that know-how, the investment sits idle and erodes unseen.
    — Kerry Huang, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • This smoke has eroded decades of air quality improvements in parts of the US, particularly in the West.
    — Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • Massive explosions lit up the night sky as ballistic missiles and drones hammered parts of the city, killing at least 14 people in the city and three others in the surrounding region, with dozens more wounded, city officials said.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Alicent and Helaena will be held prisoner until Aemond is found and killed.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of kill
Verb
  • The Democratic Party, less than four months from a pivotal midterm election, is navigating a new kind of culture war over exactly what kind of behavior — from candidates and staff — the party should tolerate.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • Engineers also incorporated seismic protection features that allow the bridge to better tolerate ground movement, an essential requirement in one of the world’s most seismically active regions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Marine engines operate under sustained high RPM and are exposed to moisture, which requires additional protection against wear and corrosion.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
  • First, look for locks that are tamper-proof with cut-resistant cables and construction built to withstand harsh elements such as water, rust, or corrosion.
    — Emily Hochberg, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of corrosion
Noun
  • Surveillance cameras captured a person dressed in dark clothing on a nearby roof overlooking the courtyard less than ten minutes before the killing, prosecutors said in charging documents.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • The same goes for discovering petite-friendly clothing brands with styles that not only fit, but also flatter shorter frames.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026
Definition of clothing
Verb
  • The mix-up may have contributed to souring the communication between the legal teams of the companies, whose relationship appears to be increasingly frayed.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 15 July 2026
  • The terms of the memorandum have been hazily defined, and the agreement has quickly frayed.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • The game slows not only because bodies tire more quickly, but because players begin pacing themselves earlier — conserving energy for the moments that matter most.
    — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • More than 90% agreed or strongly agreed that scent work is enjoyable for dogs, tires them out and builds confidence in shy dogs.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of tire
Verb
  • But for many Georgians who volunteered, worked, performed or attended the Games, the memories that have endured are far more personal.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Iran’s hardline regime achieves a victory of sorts simply by enduring and surviving.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wear

Nglish: Translation of wear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wear

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