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
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Recent Examples of worn-out
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
Look for Bait Spawns and Insect Hatches As the bass spawn wraps up, numerous shallow food sources become plentiful for the weary and worn-out bass coming off the beds.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 6 Mar. 2024
Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Sure, Diggs — with more time between and having definitely worn out his welcome in Minnesota — and Bradbury won’t bring the same kind of feelings as Darnold holding up a trophy at the end.
—Brian Hall, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
Towels and bathmats that are old, worn out, or very basic can drag down the overall aesthetic of a bathroom.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Those worn out employees are 35% more likely to job hunt.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
If your utensils have worn out their welcome, swap them with these nontoxic tools to cook without worries.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The previous device had worn out so much that two of the toenails had fallen off.
—Ramon Taylor, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
That must include a lounge set that’s comfy enough for relaxing on the couch but has a polished design that looks put-together when worn out of the house.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
Look for Bait Spawns and Insect Hatches As the bass spawn wraps up, numerous shallow food sources become plentiful for the weary and worn-out bass coming off the beds.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
The couple had worn out two other belts beating their children, the prosecutor said.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Sure, Diggs — with more time between and having definitely worn out his welcome in Minnesota — and Bradbury won’t bring the same kind of feelings as Darnold holding up a trophy at the end.
—Brian Hall, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
Towels and bathmats that are old, worn out, or very basic can drag down the overall aesthetic of a bathroom.
—Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 31 Jan. 2026
User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Those worn out employees are 35% more likely to job hunt.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
If your utensils have worn out their welcome, swap them with these nontoxic tools to cook without worries.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2026
The previous device had worn out so much that two of the toenails had fallen off.
—Ramon Taylor, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
That must include a lounge set that’s comfy enough for relaxing on the couch but has a polished design that looks put-together when worn out of the house.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
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While a few icons have grown tired (like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Eden Roc Miami Beach, missing from this list), several have recently poured money into renovations, including the Mayfair House and Gardens; Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, which just reopened; and the Delano Miami.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Bell remembered during the Stars on Ice tour in 2022 when the skaters rolled into a new city, tired, groggy and sore from the long bus ride, Liu, dressed in a baggy hoodie and billowing sweatpants, could go on the ice and throw perfect jumps without warning.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
If your denim is tattered and worn beyond repair, don't worry.—
Heather Bien,
Martha Stewart,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Worn Washcloths or Towels Go through all your linens in the bathroom, and discard any that are old, stained, tattered, or smell weird.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pavas were often worn by jibaros, which were rural residents who worked on the island as self-subsistence farmers.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
It was worn by Jay Buhner and Craig McMurty.—
Matt Jones,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crowds gathered to watch the dogs cross the finish line, some particularly exhausted ones riding on their owners' sleds rather than pulling them.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Marc Maron, who helmed his engaging and transgressive interview show WTF for 13 years, is a Jersey Boy who sounds plaintive and exhausted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Also consider that monstera is sometimes called swiss cheese plant, with leaves that develop ragged holes over time.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At 836,000 square miles, Greenland is nearly 80 percent ice, a frozen leaf dangling in the far North Atlantic with dramatic, ragged edges, impossibly sheer cliffs that dwarf even El Capitan, and a massive ice sheet as thick as 11,000 feet.—
Tim Neville,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pike was killed by head and neck trauma and was from Stamford, Connecticut, Teton County Coroner Brent Blue told the outlet.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After Renee Good was shot and killed by a Customs and Border Protection agent in Minneapolis, Peak said more than 1,200 protested in the northwest Valley with just two days' notice.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The medley for winter-weary Americans has included everything from aching backs from shoveling to sore throats to frozen noses.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The mascara, previously available only in black, holds up through long days spent staring at a screen, the occasional weary eye rub, and (believe it or not) raucous weddings.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to extend his boxing career toward an Olympic appearance at 45 ran into age‑limit rules and concerns about the optics and health risks of watching a faded great take more punishment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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The latter sees a faded star eyeing a possible comeback and encountering all sorts of ghosts from his past.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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