-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
outworn
adjective
out·worn
ˌau̇t-ˈwȯrn
: no longer useful or acceptable : outmoded
an outworn social system
Synonyms
Examples of outworn in a Sentence
an outworn set of beliefs
outworn clothes with holes in them
Recent Examples on the Web
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So, the high temperature of 62 seemed an obvious anachronism, an outdated and outworn remnant of earlier times.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
Removing a president requires the president’s welcome to be really, really, really outworn.
—T.a. Frank, The Hive, 18 May 2017
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.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1522, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near outworn
Cite this Entry
“Outworn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outworn. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
outworn
adjective
out·worn
au̇t-ˈwō(ə)rn
-ˈwȯ(ə)rn
: worn-out sense 1, out-of-date
an outworn system
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share