1
as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness
moth-eaten scientific theories that no one's believed in ages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
a man who's been wearing the same moth-eaten clothes for decades
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stereotyped
used or heard so often as to be dull
an uncle who tells the same moth-eaten stories every Thanksgiving
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 moth-eaten
When clothing is moth-eaten, see Ronald Moore at French-American Reweaving Co. (119 W. 57th St.; 212-765-4670).
—
The Editors, Curbed, 9 May 2025
The Editors, Curbed, 9 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moth-eaten
Adjective
-
Other job training groups at the time also saw their training becoming obsolete.—
Michael Bernick,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
While there’s been a massive build-out of satellites for telecommunications, defense and climate monitoring, the equipment for controlling and communicating with them is aging and becoming obsolete.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The project was planned to clear the area of outdated and dilapidated buildings, to attract new businesses and promote economic revitalization.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The trip could also see China give the go-ahead for the UK to rebuild its dilapidated embassy in Beijing.—
Brendan Murray,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, Lenape artist Joe Baker places cutout photographs of his ancestors over the stereotyped images of Native Americans found in the wallpaper.—
Tom McDonough,
Artforum,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Yet university leaders have spoken optimistically about the future, bolstered by its new membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), its coaching staff and a $25 million renovation of its archaic football stadium.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But while the word’s general usage sounds more than a little archaic in the 21st century, its application to a particular kind of deceit prohibited in war remains active law.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The department issued heavy fines and ultimately shuttered a neglected building in Denver’s uptown neighborhood last year that was owned by CBZ Management.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The narrative highlights the growing, unseen populations of lonely and neglected individuals, shedding light on a vital but often ignored aspect of public care.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Plush cushioning on the insoles relieves tired feet during the day, making these comfortable enough to wear for hours.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some people are probably tired of hearing my name.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Our antiquated tax code should be reformed to reduce reliance on the personal income tax and raise revenue in a more predictable way.—
Lanhee J. Chen,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In a world where physical video games are swiftly becoming antiquated, the move signals the company’s desire to modernize.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is actually better than some of the hackneyed rom-coms Reiner muddled through, a coming-of-age story about two kids’ pseudo-love story from grade school through middle school.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
-
On the first real mission in the jungle region of Fury Green, Samus encounters a Galactic Federation technician named Myles Mackenzie who, from his reveal in the pre-release previews, became a sticking point for fans due to his hackneyed sidekick trappings.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moth-eaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moth-eaten. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
