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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of worn-out
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 12 May 2026
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
How cancer starts Cells produce more cells to grow, replace older or worn-out cells or to repair damaged tissues.
—Julie Phillippi, The Conversation, 21 July 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
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
When one of those components becomes blocked, worn out, or damaged, excess friction and heat can develop, and a burning odor can be released.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
If your everyday bra is worn out, replace it with this scalloped bra that provides padded support — without uncomfortable underwire that digs and pokes.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Traveling even to a different Strip hotel could be bewildering, so tourists worn out by a day of wandering, people-watching and drinking didn’t seem to mind mediocre restaurants, content to stumble off to bed after a few turns at the tables.
—Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Consumers are already worn out because prices have continued to climb even though the rate of food inflation has come down, said Andrew Harig, a vice president with the trade group FMI, the Food Industry Association.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Eventually it will get worn out and donated, as is the case with so many t-shirts.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The contemporary artist added that the shoes in the collection are meant to look worn out and discolored from walking through puddles and have marks on the sides colored with a pen.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
We were both worn out from work, so were looking for somewhere close and cozy.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
In case the appliance is old, the loose or worn-out parts may be to blame.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 12 May 2026
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
How cancer starts Cells produce more cells to grow, replace older or worn-out cells or to repair damaged tissues.
—Julie Phillippi, The Conversation, 21 July 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
Verb
The starters, who’d played heavy minutes all season, were worn out by the Pacers’ speed, depth, and physicality, and after the series the Knicks fired Thibodeau despite his relative success.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
When one of those components becomes blocked, worn out, or damaged, excess friction and heat can develop, and a burning odor can be released.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
If your everyday bra is worn out, replace it with this scalloped bra that provides padded support — without uncomfortable underwire that digs and pokes.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Traveling even to a different Strip hotel could be bewildering, so tourists worn out by a day of wandering, people-watching and drinking didn’t seem to mind mediocre restaurants, content to stumble off to bed after a few turns at the tables.
—Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Consumers are already worn out because prices have continued to climb even though the rate of food inflation has come down, said Andrew Harig, a vice president with the trade group FMI, the Food Industry Association.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Eventually it will get worn out and donated, as is the case with so many t-shirts.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The contemporary artist added that the shoes in the collection are meant to look worn out and discolored from walking through puddles and have marks on the sides colored with a pen.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
We were both worn out from work, so were looking for somewhere close and cozy.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2026
-
The Ukrainian president also said the majority of Russians had grown tired of missile and drone attacks, inflation and fuel shortages, and were ready for peace.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
On May 16 came a bright pink ballgown complete with an oversized bow and a tattered hoop skirt.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
-
Trump then asks how Epstein, in tattered, bloody clothes and a chain around his neck, is enjoying heaven.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Period underwear can be worn just like regular underwear, and washed in the laundry to be reused between menstruating days or cycles.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
The cooling onesie, which was unveiled at a press event on Sunday, will be worn under the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) space suit, which is also designed in collaboration with Prada.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
International cave-diving teams are navigating jagged, zero-visibility passages while weighing whether to guide the exhausted, untrained villagers underwater or wait for receding floodwaters, echoing dilemmas from Thailand’s 2018 cave rescue.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Rice looked exhausted a few weeks back but returned to form as the season reached its climax.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Kristen Stewart has sported every short hairstyle worth mentioning, but this impossibly ragged, exaggerated mullet feels like the correct choice for a grunge girl summer.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
-
Reflecting on these piercing paradoxes, Dusabejambo’s narrative (co-written with Delphine Agut) cannot but be shaped by them; there are no simple resolutions for a reality defined by ruptures and ragged edges.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Three people were killed and 20 more people were attacked by bears across at least nine prefectures between April and June 2, according to public broadcaster NHK.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Alabama's relatively new nitrogen gas execution method could inflict a cruel amount of pain and suffering on a death row inmate who says that he'd rather be killed by a firing squad, a federal appeals court has ruled.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
In tax-weary Santa Clara County, San Jose leaders pushed for the ballot measure to shift the financial burden to visitors by increasing the city’s transient occupancy tax, levied on hotel and short-term rental guests, from 10% to 12%.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
His athleticism and vision will benefit Canada when opposition defenders grow weary late in games.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Pinch Off Faded Flowers or Cut Back To ensure continuous production, Anna Ohler, the owner of Bright Lane Gardens, suggests pinching off any faded flowers, including the seed pod.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
9 June 2026
-
The cream color pops against faded black jeans, as in Hudson’s outfit, but it can also be paired with blue denim, skirts, or linen pants.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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