1
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
worn-out tourists heading back to their hotel after a hard day of sightseeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
used a worn-out T-shirt for dusting the furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in worn
to use up all the physical energy of
keeping up with twin toddlers wears me out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of worn-out
Jason Fried, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Characterized by their faded or worn-out effect, as if their original color had been lightened by washing, these beloved jeans stand out for their vintage and carefree air.
—Mayte Salido, Glamour, 4 Jan. 2026
Palestinians have long called for mobile homes and caravans to be allowed in to protect them against living in impractical and worn-out tents.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
By contrast, the U.S. Air Force has only 16 serviceable AWACS, and these are the nearly obsolete and badly worn-out E-3G Sentry.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
But faulty or worn-out tubes can result in water spewing onto sidewalks, Choltko explains.
—Yvette Fernandez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Enduring a week’s worth of cold water plunges can jolt the body’s cells into starting the process of autophagy to clean up and recycle old, worn-out, and broken parts, according to a new study.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2025
Balenciaga, too, offered its takes on tailoring, opening its maze-like runway with slim, simple suits — some hand-creased, others worn-out — that felt less provocative than its usual offerings.
—Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Most recently, my lack of preparation has left me with a minimal and worn-out rotation of winter travel clothes — a major dilemma, considering there are several weeks left of frigid temperatures ahead of me.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Similar robotics companies have already worn out their welcome in other US cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, as their delivery bots hog sidewalks, injure residents, and rampage through gardens.
—Joe Wilkins Published Mar 19, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
By the time that question is posed, however, the device has worn out its welcome, reiterating the basic fact of the academic’s desire over and over again without complications or narrative advancement.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
After this weekend, when the Producers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild hand out their highly predictive precursors, the final shape of the Oscar race should be (reasonably) clear — and nominees worn out by months of campaigning will be breathing a sigh of relief.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
If your utensils have worn out their welcome, swap them with these non-toxic tools to cook without worries.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Veterans worn out by last game In this three-team, four-quarter format, someone from Game 3 was always going to have to play in back-to-back games in the title matchup.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
The moniker was starting to get worn out.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The couple had worn out two other belts beating their children, the prosecutor said.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Rentals tend to be shabby and worn-out, so choosing a home with the latest and greatest felt like a way to make the experience hassle-free.
—Jason Fried, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Characterized by their faded or worn-out effect, as if their original color had been lightened by washing, these beloved jeans stand out for their vintage and carefree air.
—Mayte Salido, Glamour, 4 Jan. 2026
Palestinians have long called for mobile homes and caravans to be allowed in to protect them against living in impractical and worn-out tents.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
By contrast, the U.S. Air Force has only 16 serviceable AWACS, and these are the nearly obsolete and badly worn-out E-3G Sentry.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
But faulty or worn-out tubes can result in water spewing onto sidewalks, Choltko explains.
—Yvette Fernandez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Enduring a week’s worth of cold water plunges can jolt the body’s cells into starting the process of autophagy to clean up and recycle old, worn-out, and broken parts, according to a new study.
—New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2025
Balenciaga, too, offered its takes on tailoring, opening its maze-like runway with slim, simple suits — some hand-creased, others worn-out — that felt less provocative than its usual offerings.
—Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Most recently, my lack of preparation has left me with a minimal and worn-out rotation of winter travel clothes — a major dilemma, considering there are several weeks left of frigid temperatures ahead of me.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
He was worn out from that camp.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Similar robotics companies have already worn out their welcome in other US cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, as their delivery bots hog sidewalks, injure residents, and rampage through gardens.
—Joe Wilkins Published Mar 19, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
By the time that question is posed, however, the device has worn out its welcome, reiterating the basic fact of the academic’s desire over and over again without complications or narrative advancement.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
After this weekend, when the Producers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild hand out their highly predictive precursors, the final shape of the Oscar race should be (reasonably) clear — and nominees worn out by months of campaigning will be breathing a sigh of relief.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
If your utensils have worn out their welcome, swap them with these non-toxic tools to cook without worries.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Veterans worn out by last game In this three-team, four-quarter format, someone from Game 3 was always going to have to play in back-to-back games in the title matchup.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
The moniker was starting to get worn out.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The couple had worn out two other belts beating their children, the prosecutor said.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
-
They have been seen directing snaking security lines and passing out water bottles to tired travelers.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Step in when someone’s tired or needs a break.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But there’s a certain magic in the tattered, the torn, and the un-trashable gear in our closets.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
-
My tattered copy of the book has Ann’s acknowledgements at the front.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Congressional Democrats have recently demanded the use of body-cams to be worn by DHS and ICE officers, but the police-killings of many unarmed Black people have been captured on film, then used to defend the police’s fears, and thus, their actions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are the active stars, but the formula uses a light-stable form of retinol, which means it can be worn day and night.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Families are still overwhelmed and caregivers are still exhausted, and far too many conversations are still happening too late.—
Alex Rizo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Why tire himself out, become completely exhausted and out of breath, crumple up the bedsheets that were changed just a few days ago, get someone else’s germs all over himself, and then reek of sweat afterward?—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And then they have been amped up in a way that still maintains some of that raw sort of ragged edge.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Girlfriend runs on Ives’ ragged and muscular alto, which has the timbre of a lounge singer and the texture of kintsugi.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, a businessman, forgave the young man who killed his son and has spent his life working to prevent youth violence.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In this case, the dog’s weary posture and downcast eyes made the illusion especially convincing.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Israelis have also grown weary after nearly a month of daily sirens, 16 civilian deaths and dozens of people seriously injured.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Actress Letitia Wright attended a Prada event in a faded denim and leather jacket.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That fall, an old friend reached out to my father through the underground communications network, dialling a number printed on a faded piece of plastic Dymo tape and speaking to him from a public phone booth.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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