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
The superfans who stood closest to the stage wore ponchos as protection in case a competitor threw up. — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026 Nimin High-Waisted Trousers This trouser option comes in short lengths and can be worn casually with comfy sneakers for brunch, or dressed up with a blouse for the office. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Noun
Too much fabric softener can reduce the absorption or moisture-wicking factors of bath towels and athletic wear. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 The maison snatched up Orlebar Brown, a British luxury resort-wear brand known for its swim trunks, back in 2018. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 2 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
  • But Koppl traced a distinctly American lineage through a chain of precedents dating back more than 50 years, each one further eroding the market discipline that profit-and-loss accountability is supposed to provide.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Moscow says the strike was retaliation for Ukraine’s 40-day campaign on Russian oil refineries and supply lines, which has fueled shortages, hit Crimea and eroded battlefield momentum.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 2 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 prevailing stereotype is that people of color can tolerate spicy food better than white people, and data show the majority of Reddit users are white.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • Studies have shown that overfertilizing can weaken the underground partnerships between plants and microbes that are fundamental to helping plants access nutrients and tolerate stress.
    — Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Not just cracks in physical structures, researchers have been able to study the effects of harsh temperatures, corrosion, and radiation inside nuclear reactors using radiography, ultrasonics, and electromagnetic labs.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
  • The body is made from Grade 5 Titanium alloy, which is commonly chosen for EDC tools for its corrosion resistance, light weight, and durability.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 2 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 band itself was fraying, with Stone recording much of the murky, druggy album in the attic of his Bel Air mansion.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 July 2026
  • And considering how signing offer sheets can fray relations, there’s no guarantee Hayton would extend in Utah after all of this.
    — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • In the race itself, Evenepoel and fellow escapee Mathieu van der Poel were criticised for working alongside eventual winner Pogačar, rather than attempting to force the Slovenian to do all the work and tire himself out.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • On Independence Day, take your pet for a long walk or enjoy a play session to tire them out before nightfall and the accompanying noise.
    — Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of tire
Verb
  • Led by husband-and-wife team Austin and Olivia Kelleher, each headcover is made in the Hudson Valley and embodies sustainability, artistry, and the enduring spirit of the game.
    — RS Editors, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
  • The teaser opens with a young Jean Valjean enduring the brutal years of his imprisonment before fast-forwarding to his new life and the inevitable pursuit by Inspector Javert, played by Tahar Rahim.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 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 9 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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