white elephant

noun

Definition of white elephantnext
as in throwaway

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for white elephant
  1. throwaway
  2. castaway
  3. second
  4. rubbish
  5. trash
  6. waste
  7. scrap
Noun
  • But the movie doesn’t require much of anyone in the ensemble; comedians like Chloe Fineman, Chris Parnell and Fortune Feimster are wasted in throwaway roles.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • Normalizing violence should, in itself, be a red line, and its resumption or threat not reduced to a throwaway remark.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of throwaway
Noun
  • But the Hurricanes turned speedy castaways like Ehlers, Miller, Taylor Hall and Eric Robinson into Cup champions.
    — Murat Ates, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • Rams castaway Cooper Kupp still boasts an unexpected wry sense of humor.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Definition of castaway
Noun
  • Engineered to protect hair from extreme heat, the Supersonic™ Travel uses intelligent heat control to measure temperature 100 times per second for healthier-looking, softer-feeling hair.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Alcántara gave the Cubs a 4-3 lead with his first career home run in the second, a two-out shot to left-center after Dansby Swanson walked.
    — Jay Cohen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of second
Noun
  • This comes at the expense of no movement in the wrist, but to be fair, having the lightsaber pointed in any other direction would look rubbish.
    — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Only construction waste will be accepted at the landfill such as, brush and rubbish, concrete, brick, rock, wood, paper, plastics, cardboard and roofing shingles and tiles.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of rubbish
Noun
  • Or the convention center in Christchurch that became carbon zero because one young staffer started auditing the trash bins.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In The Athletic’s anonymous annual player poll, he has been voted the NFL’s biggest trash talker and most annoying player.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of trash
Noun
  • The fire has also forced evacuations at Spokane’s veterans’ hospital, water reclamation facility and waste-to-energy plant, city officials said.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Pet owners will receive waste bags, water bowls, and treats, and the lakeside trail just outside makes for easy walks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of waste
Noun
  • At reuse centers, crafters can collect a few ribbons and fabric scraps instead of entire spools or bolts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In his email, Berney suggested that the thieves were probably just selling the drives for scrap.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of scrap
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.

Browse Nearby Words

white dwarfs
white elephant
white elephants
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Cite this Entry

“White elephant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/white%20elephant. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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