as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness
outworn clothes with holes in them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in outlived
to last longer than
these running shoes have outworn any others that I have ever bought
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in worn
to use up all the physical energy of
a daily grind that would outwear anybody
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 outworn
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
This was not a forgone conclusion at the time; indeed, during the 1930s, democracy was widely viewed as an outworn political form.
—Taeku Lee, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2013
Perhaps that’s the legacy of outworn stereotypes about corruption or a lack of the type of political will that’s brought more rapid changes to corporate governance and sustainable investing standards in, for example, some Nordic countries.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022
This colossal tactical error has been compounded by the lingering centrist deference to a long-outworn image of the Supreme Court as a grand impartial arbiter of constitutional outcomes.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 10 Feb. 2022
So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.
—Washington Post, 9 May 2021
Now, two decades into a new century, the magazine remains, if anything, more committed than ever to its first principles—and most of all, to the need to rethink outworn assumptions and political superstitions as radically changing conditions demand.
—Press Release, The New Republic, 26 Mar. 2021
In the week to come use the opportunities and insights that arise to rid yourself of outworn ideas, attitudes and habits.
—Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, 11 Aug. 2019
Sartorial inheritance is perhaps innocuous, even if personally significant, whereas conflating outworn ideas of identity with homage is profoundly dangerous.
—Aram Mrjoian, Longreads, 15 June 2019
Adjective
With his understanding of and affection for the hardy inhabitants of the mountainous American West, Walker-Silverman brings a new and tender radiance to the idea of regional filmmaking, along with an awareness of outworn stereotypes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
This was not a forgone conclusion at the time; indeed, during the 1930s, democracy was widely viewed as an outworn political form.
—Taeku Lee, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2013
Perhaps that’s the legacy of outworn stereotypes about corruption or a lack of the type of political will that’s brought more rapid changes to corporate governance and sustainable investing standards in, for example, some Nordic countries.
—Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022
This colossal tactical error has been compounded by the lingering centrist deference to a long-outworn image of the Supreme Court as a grand impartial arbiter of constitutional outcomes.
—Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 10 Feb. 2022
So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.
—Washington Post, 9 May 2021
Now, two decades into a new century, the magazine remains, if anything, more committed than ever to its first principles—and most of all, to the need to rethink outworn assumptions and political superstitions as radically changing conditions demand.
—Press Release, The New Republic, 26 Mar. 2021
In the week to come use the opportunities and insights that arise to rid yourself of outworn ideas, attitudes and habits.
—Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, 11 Aug. 2019
Sartorial inheritance is perhaps innocuous, even if personally significant, whereas conflating outworn ideas of identity with homage is profoundly dangerous.
—Aram Mrjoian, Longreads, 15 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outworn
Adjective
-
Right now the industry’s distribution model faces a radical alteration because insurance agents aren't becoming obsolete.—
Kori Hale,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
The current bridge, built in 1936 and considered structurally obsolete, will be demolished next spring to make way for the new structure.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
But not the kind of mentorship that lies in the old, hierarchical, and archaic approach.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
-
There’s a separate debate as to the archaic nature of email itself and the need for something new.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
Detroit survived a five-interception Goff game thanks to Bates, who squeezed clutch kicks of 58 and 52 yards between the uprights.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The Dodgers survived in spite of their pitching injuries last season and will take a similar approach of going with upside over durability with some of their pitching choices.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In a later post, Trump threatened to scuttle the Commanders' plans for a new stadium, which would move the team from its current location in Maryland back to the nation's capital after renovating an antiquated stadium on federal property.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
20 July 2025
-
Updated our antiquated Town Charter to modernize governance, align with state statutes, and ensure transparency.—
Danielle Wong,
Hartford Courant,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
Santa Teresa outlasted Independence 89-78 as Ayden Bobbitt (25 points), Hayden Lake (17), Max Dohina (15) and Evan Guillermo (13) scored in double figures for the home team.—
Darren Sabedra,
The Mercury News,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Listen to this article On a night where the Magic and the Grizzlies were playing in the second game of back-to-backs after traveling, Memphis outlasted Orlando.—
Jason Beede,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
He was hurt, he was exhausted and knew very well the odds of his Pittsburgh Penguins qualifying for the postseason were minimal at best.—
Josh Yohe,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Fourteen years of war have left the country desolate, and its people exhausted; millions have been displaced or were forced to become refugees.—
Raghed Waked & Justin Salhani,
The Dial,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
During early October’s harvest, when golden Chasselas grapes are at their plump and juicy peak, explore medieval villages and 10th-century stone walls on foot, like on a 6.8-mile hike from St. Saphorin to Lutry, and visit cellars aboard the Lavaux Express train.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
18 July 2025
-
Parts of the village date back to medieval times, and the Fort de Tamié, a 19th-century fortress above Albertville, now features zip lines that crisscross hiking trails with levels suitable for all the family to enjoy.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
If the piece was indeed destroyed, Warner may have broken the law.—
Andrew Travers,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Jan. 2025
-
At first it was sold at Macy’s department store in large sheets broken into smaller pieces, then in the 1940s, the company sold its own candy bar size in stores.—
John Mariani,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outworn. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share