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
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.
Recent Examples of worn-out
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
Right now his voice is worn-out just in time for a succession of financially unskippable tour dates.
—Marc Hogan, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024
Revive Old Furniture: Give a new lease of life to old and worn-out furniture by applying a fresh coat of Chalk Mineral Paint.
—Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Financial viability is actually a very tired and worn-out excuse.
—Hari Srinivasan, Fortune, 27 July 2023
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
You’ll likely be worn out, so opt for a casual spot for dinner.
—Jennifer Broome, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
The board, which was to be the cornerstone of our project, looked worn out and old, with visible scuffs and bent pins.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2025
Then there’s the likes of Kadarius Toney, whose mercurial attitude had worn out the New York Giants.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
The Hyundai at 250,000 is about worn out.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
Right now his voice is worn-out just in time for a succession of financially unskippable tour dates.
—Marc Hogan, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024
Revive Old Furniture: Give a new lease of life to old and worn-out furniture by applying a fresh coat of Chalk Mineral Paint.
—Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Financial viability is actually a very tired and worn-out excuse.
—Hari Srinivasan, Fortune, 27 July 2023
Verb
And yet, despite the somewhat shaky premise—retaining the services of an insurance company that isn’t State Farm is like hiring the All About the Bass warbler to oversee your star quarterback’s injury prevention and/or rehabilitation regimen—the spot hasn’t worn out its welcome.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
You’ll likely be worn out, so opt for a casual spot for dinner.
—Jennifer Broome, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025
The board, which was to be the cornerstone of our project, looked worn out and old, with visible scuffs and bent pins.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2025
Then there’s the likes of Kadarius Toney, whose mercurial attitude had worn out the New York Giants.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
The Hyundai at 250,000 is about worn out.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
-
Reed got her first gig at Cataloochee at the age of 19 in 1996 and has never tired of the work.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Manning’s inefficiency was on full display, and the Longhorns faithful grew tired of it during the first half.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Skyridge will send you its tattered battle plans during its long trip back to Utah.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Of the roiling mass of restless natives, cranky artists and tattered idealists who rose up across the Southland this summer to flip off darkness and call America back to its better angels?—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bold, sculptural silver jewelry worn throughout added a touch of cool, especially on a cool California vibe black tent dress.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Much of the collection features rich burgundy and maroon tones similar to the shades worn by Lohan and Stewart.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The director noticed that the exhausted Sheen couldn't keep his eyes open even when cameras were rolling.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The result is not just one exhausted employee, but a system that steadily depletes its people.—
Sandro da Silva,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The original Toxic Avenger was made for chump change and wore its low-budget nature proudly, while this version, which was shot in Bulgaria in 2021 and involves both practical and digital effects, tries to evoke that ragged aesthetic while working with more resources.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Evergreen High School is located about 20 miles from Columbine High School, the site of an infamous 1999 mass shooting that killed 12 students and a teacher.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Conservative commentator Will Cain observed a moment of silence on his Fox News show after a gunman shot and killed Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While Schneider was expressing his feelings about the unknown state of Judge’s normally rocket arm, the Yankees seemed weary about answering these kind of inquiries.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Where Shy was the subject of Porter’s slender book — which is really more of a beat-poetry day-in-the-life monologue — the focus shifts here to the weary headmaster who’s been fighting on the students’ behalf all these years.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Williams, in a faded plaid shirt, gray hair sprouting from under a John Deere hat, paced.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
-
While some might have a faded tie-dye shirt in the back of their closet and listen to the occasional Grateful Dead album, seniors across the spectrum are turning to cannabis—many for the first time.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share