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
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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2026
It’s never been easier to find a simple dress that can be accessorized to fit any number of highly-specific themes (and worn out for drinks the weekend after).
—Aemilia Madden, Vogue, 10 June 2026
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
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
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
Somehow, more than 30 years later, Buzz and Woody haven't worn out their welcome.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2026
It’s never been easier to find a simple dress that can be accessorized to fit any number of highly-specific themes (and worn out for drinks the weekend after).
—Aemilia Madden, Vogue, 10 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
-
My wife lowers her gaze as if tired, rubbing the side of her glass with her fingers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.—
Jamie Merisotis,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
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,
10 June 2026
-
In the evening, place your bait near a pile of wood or rubble and cover it with newspaper or a tattered cardboard box.—
Chad Mason,
Outdoor Life,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Many fans have worn the pre-revolutionary flag of the sun and lion that FIFA had banned inside stadiums.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
There's a replica of the Oval Office − seen also at the Truman library, the Johnson library and the Clinton Library − as well as a display of dresses worn by the first lady at inaugural balls and other big occasions.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
When you’re exhausted after a long day, this pan is clutch.—
Olivia Tarantino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Dec. 2025
-
So the prior market — that prior bear market is exhausted.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
His eyes had rested on a flimsy plastic cup that had been abandoned on the sink, holding ragged lime slices and a slush of ice that was causing little beads of condensation to form on its sides.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
Although King reached rare air with the Bulls during Rose’s ascent, most of his tenure as a broadcaster was spent breathing life into ragged seasons.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Federal investigators have arrived at Butler Memorial Airport to begin examining the plane crash that killed 12 people Sunday morning.—
Neil Nakahodo,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
Air Force officials did not immediately identify the eight people killed or explain why there were more people aboard than the bomber’s standard crew complement.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some war-weary Republicans were eager to endorse the agreement — if the fine print matches the administration’s summary.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
-
Quit Complaining Travel can be stressful, especially when airports swell with weary-eyed tourists who may be dealing with delays, cancellations, and lost luggage.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Police say that the suspect's vehicle has a faded convertible top, no rear window, chrome-and-red European-style taillights and chrome rims.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
When the gene is inherited from both parents, the cat's color appears more faded and soft than that of a regular calico, which is usually a rich tricolor coat of black, orange, and white.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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