outworn 1 of 2

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈwȯrn How to pronounce outworn (audio)
Definition of outwornnext
as in obsolete
having passed its time of use or usefulness outworn clothes with holes in them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outworn

2 of 2

verb

past participle of outwear
1
as in outlived
to last longer than these running shoes have outworn any others that I have ever bought

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2
as in worn
to use up all the physical energy of a daily grind that would outwear anybody

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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
Adjective
Setting recent works among older ones is an effective element of LACMA’s overall plan to shed outworn hierarchies. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 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 — Cassie Werber, Quartz, 7 June 2022 So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outworn
  1. obsolete
  2. outlived
  3. worn
  4. archaic
  5. survived
  6. tired
  7. antiquated
  8. outlasted
Adjective
  • As Jack Dorsey of Block argues, corporate hierarchy is an obsolete information-routing protocol.
    — Ming Lu, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But a decade later, as streamers rely increasingly on acquisitions, co-financing and bundling, producers and distributors — far from becoming obsolete — have had to sharpen their dealmaking skills.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of obsolete
Verb
  • Music that has outlived trends, generations, and just about everything else the world has thrown at it.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Lori’s grandparents died in the 1980s, two more people outlived by a man who’d been sentenced to death.
    — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of outlived
Verb
  • Burberry continued to provide clothing and accessories to the British Armed Forces throughout World War II, but the trench also became fashionable outside of the military, worn by civilian men and women.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than trimming that weight, Fukushima's lab asked whether anything needed to be worn at all.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of worn
Adjective
  • The archaic legal restrictions restricting same-sex couples or unmarried women, for example, are acknowledged and adhered to, rather than being openly challenged or criticized.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Cornell University’s investigation, of course, did not have to adhere to New York’s arguably archaic criminal standards, but its response, too, has triggered anger and disbelief across airwaves and social media.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of archaic
Verb
  • Few of her words survived the torrents of sound in which they were immersed; as with certain Grouper recordings, the lyrics emerged as texture more than syntax.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • While the team survived mostly unscathed, the series is looking different as showrunner Victor Teran takes the helm.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of survived
Verb
  • For the project Winter and her team tired coupling plasma with electrocatalysis.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Shelton’s serve had manacled him just enough; the first set’s effort had tired him just enough.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The antiquated federal code lacks any guidance for building these homes to withstand earthquakes, wildfires or tornadoes.
    — Arindam Chowdhury, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Adopting techniques from classic-Hollywood style, cinematographers dusted off antiquated equipment, using tungsten bulbs instead of LEDs to create the low-key contrasts typical of the genre.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of antiquated
Verb
  • The Chiefs outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27, but lost wide receivers Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice during the game.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Blake Snell, the Dodgers’ starter, barely outlasted Ray Kerr, the Braves’ opener.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of outlasted

Browse Nearby Words

outwore
outworn
oval
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Cite this Entry

“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outworn. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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