worn-out 1 of 2

Definition of worn-outnext

worn out

2 of 2

verb

past participle of wear out

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
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
When Starmer took office, Britain was worn out by the Conservative program of austerity. Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 Use that seasonal swap to toss anything worn out and replace genuine gaps, rather than shopping for the sake of it. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worn-out
Adjective
  • Hollywood Plot Lines and Reality These are the tired questions every UFO skeptic asks.
    Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • If your complexion tends to look flat or tired by midday, this powder can help bring back some radiance.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage.
    Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
  • The look was created from tattered bootleg championship shirts in blue, white and orange, which were sourced from vendors in NYC this week.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The high-quality dress can be worn all summer long, in playful hues like white and green.
    Sarah DiMuro, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
  • However, items saved by survivors or plucked from the water by rescuers can be sold and often fetch big sums — a life jacket worn by a passenger sold for just over $900,000 in April while a gold pocket watch given to the ship captain who rescued the survivors sold for nearly $2 million in 2024.
    Patrick Whittle, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Research shows over half of American travelers feel exhausted, with one in five admitting to booking a trip out of anger.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • But Raj is feverish, foggy, and exhausted.
    Bruce Weinstein, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • His hushed, ragged whisper feels suitably weathered, fitting a collection of songs that never are in a hurry.
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026
  • Slugs and snails are some of the peskiest garden visitors that can riddle plant leaves with ragged holes or chew tender crops like lettuce down to nubs overnight.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Six people were on board the plane, including one person who was killed in the incident, police said.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Days before the five-year anniversary of the 2021 building collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside, the federal government has published findings that determined the structure of the Champlain Towers South condominium started failing about three weeks before the catastrophe.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Wall Street will be watching to see if Amazon can further cement itself as consumers' to-go destination for everyday essentials at a time when inflation-weary shoppers are focused on value.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 22 June 2026
  • For our weary eyeballs, strained and tired from long periods locked onto screens, rest and relaxation can do wonders.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Directed by Son Jae-gon and starring Gang Dong-won, Uhm Tae-goo, and Park Ji-hyun, the film tracks a faded first-generation K-pop co-ed dance trio making a reckless attempt to stage a comeback two decades after a plagiarism scandal dissolved their careers.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 June 2026
  • The one difference was a new layer of red bricks over the faded previous layer.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Worn-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worn-out. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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