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
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
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
With time, these treatments can make the surface look worn out.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 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 Pew Research Center polling said just over half of Americans feel worn out by news.
—Stacey Barchenger, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
To reinvigorate Kerr, who has appeared worn out at times this season, and who is working without a contract extension.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 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
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
With time, these treatments can make the surface look worn out.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 18 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 Pew Research Center polling said just over half of Americans feel worn out by news.
—Stacey Barchenger, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
To reinvigorate Kerr, who has appeared worn out at times this season, and who is working without a contract extension.
—Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
-
Second, they are wired to please you in a way that does not turn off, does not get tired and does not second-guess itself.—
Shreyans Mehta,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Michiganders are tired of the games and want strong, bipartisan leadership.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
28 May 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
-
Percy Steinhart—the late designer of velvet slippers worn by the likes of Anne Hathaway, Lady Gaga, and the former king of Spain—was the owner of this Federal-style beauty in Litchfield, originally built in 1874.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
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The bras ahead are designed with that in mind, offering a close fit, supportive underwire, and versatile straps that can be worn multiple ways.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
1 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
-
At least 13 people were killed in the overnight assault that Ukraine’s military said involved more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles, including advanced hypersonics.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Israel says 23 of its soldiers and four civilians have been killed over the same period.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Friday afternoon — as lines of weary travelers stretched from Amtrak’s customer service desk — dozens of Amtrak workers, clad in hard-hats and high-viz vests, could be seen from the western end of Platform 6.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2026
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While Jack wants to sit in the pain of losing his best friend, Kate is weary from the weight of his emotions and desperate to find some levity again.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
That look-to-local approach can be seen here too, in the faded Turkish rugs on the floors and splashes of modern Turkish design—in particular, bright ikat cushions and throws—in the otherwise simple bedrooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Prune Lightly to Maintain Shape Once the flowers become unattractive, clean up the plant's overall shape by selectively pruning branches and the faded blooms.—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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