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

In 2014, Obama wore a tan-colored suit to a press conference addressing ISIS, a wardrobe choice that was endlessly criticized by certain factions of the media and even earned its own Wikipedia page. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026

Messiah was said to have last been seen at an apartment wearing blue and white striped pajamas. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Noun

In the case of the new partnership between Western wear icon Stetson and Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River, two of Kentucky’s best modern distilleries, the results turned out to be very good. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2026

Other top brands position themselves within the convergence of performance sportswear and fashion lifestyle, including athleisure wear. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing wear

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