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
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
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
Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
After this weekend, when the Producers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild hand out their highly predictive precursors, the final shape of the Oscar race should be (reasonably) clear — and nominees worn out by months of campaigning will be breathing a sigh of relief.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
If your utensils have worn out their welcome, swap them with these non-toxic tools to cook without worries.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Veterans worn out by last game In this three-team, four-quarter format, someone from Game 3 was always going to have to play in back-to-back games in the title matchup.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
The moniker was starting to get worn out.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Adjective
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
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
Verb
By the time that question is posed, however, the device has worn out its welcome, reiterating the basic fact of the academic’s desire over and over again without complications or narrative advancement.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
After this weekend, when the Producers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild hand out their highly predictive precursors, the final shape of the Oscar race should be (reasonably) clear — and nominees worn out by months of campaigning will be breathing a sigh of relief.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
If your utensils have worn out their welcome, swap them with these non-toxic tools to cook without worries.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
Veterans worn out by last game In this three-team, four-quarter format, someone from Game 3 was always going to have to play in back-to-back games in the title matchup.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
The moniker was starting to get worn out.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
-
The fanbase was just as tired of all the turnover, if not more so.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Wildcats looked fresh and feisty from the moment the ball was tipped, perhaps taking advantage of UCF's tired legs following its second-round overtime win over Cincinnati, and roaring to a 35-8 lead over the first 13 minutes of the game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But there’s a certain magic in the tattered, the torn, and the un-trashable gear in our closets.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
-
My tattered copy of the book has Ann’s acknowledgements at the front.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her blonde hair was worn in a middle part, straight, and long.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Is this a safe place to say the Vanity Fair Oscar after-party looks often outshine the actual dresses worn to the Academy Awards?—
Glamour,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
By the end of it all, Levy was elated for the international sensation the sitcom became, and also terribly exhausted.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
-
During the pandemic, turnover rates temporarily dipped lower, then increased as high as 32%, as exhausted staff left the teaching profession.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Though few natural-history buffs realize it, many of them have admired the handiwork of this unusual company, located in the ragged outskirts of Oklahoma City, for decades.—
Jeff Wilson,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Daniel Arnold—whose street work picks up from Garry Winogrand and Joel Meyerowitz, but with a ragged edge of comic mayhem—goes wild on one of the show’s large walls.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Murrieta parents who were arrested last week for a fire that killed two of their daughters in late 2025 were allegedly high on meth and marijuana when the blaze broke out, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
On Sunday, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the military has killed 684 Afghan Taliban forces, a claim rejected by Afghanistan, which says casualties are far lower.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the United States, the actor played secondary roles, usually weary, nervy authority figures, such as the stern mentor (Good Will Hunting) and the persnickety scientist (Deep Blue Sea).—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Wolf packs on the hunt encircled their prey—typically elk—clamping at the jugular when their target grew weary from the chase.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And today, free tuition could be the PR tonic California needs to brighten its faded image across America.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Lucky Brand nails the baggy, wide-leg aesthetic with these ultra-low jeans that have a faded wash that feels perfect for spring.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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