: one that has passed the peak of effectiveness or popularity
Examples of has-been in a Sentence
now a has-been, the actor's been reduced to appearing on a third-rate reality show
Recent Examples on the Web
Hackett, his bungalow neighbor Faye Greener (Karen Black), her vaudevillian has-been father (Burgess Meredith), assorted whores, hangers-on, venal studio executives, and a WASPy lunk — auspiciously named Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) — suckered by Hollywood’s erotic promise.
—
Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
On-air remarks by a commentator working for the host broadcaster about Djokovic being overrated and a has-been caused a stir during Week 1 of the Australian Open.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Boxing, it should be said, still exists, but these days a casual fan is more likely to see a YouTuber fight a has-been than an actual title fight.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, a has-been Hollywood star who makes the reckless decision to take an experimental drug that creates a second version of herself: the younger, tauter Sue (Margaret Qualley).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
Nicole Scherzinger, too, is undeniable, bringing astounding vocals and haunting desperation to vampiric Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Roy isn’t as indelible a character as Crash Davis — likewise, Tin Cup isn’t as memorable as Bull Durham — but playing a stubborn has-been who used to be a promising golfer allowed Costner to flex his ordinary-man muscles.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024
Paul Tassi Time for the week’s first mini which involved a somewhat has-been comedian, cats and no real overarching theme this time around.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Netflix 17 of 21 The Responder (2022–present) Martin Freeman stars in this police drama as Chris Carson, a has-been urgent response officer tasked with working endless night shifts in gritty London opposite his less experienced but still game partner (Adelayo Adedayo).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2024
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Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
On-air remarks by a commentator working for the host broadcaster about Djokovic being overrated and a has-been caused a stir during Week 1 of the Australian Open.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Boxing, it should be said, still exists, but these days a casual fan is more likely to see a YouTuber fight a has-been than an actual title fight.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, a has-been Hollywood star who makes the reckless decision to take an experimental drug that creates a second version of herself: the younger, tauter Sue (Margaret Qualley).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
Nicole Scherzinger, too, is undeniable, bringing astounding vocals and haunting desperation to vampiric Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Roy isn’t as indelible a character as Crash Davis — likewise, Tin Cup isn’t as memorable as Bull Durham — but playing a stubborn has-been who used to be a promising golfer allowed Costner to flex his ordinary-man muscles.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024
Paul Tassi Time for the week’s first mini which involved a somewhat has-been comedian, cats and no real overarching theme this time around.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Netflix 17 of 21 The Responder (2022–present) Martin Freeman stars in this police drama as Chris Carson, a has-been urgent response officer tasked with working endless night shifts in gritty London opposite his less experienced but still game partner (Adelayo Adedayo).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near has-been
Cite this Entry
“Has-been.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/has-been. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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