wear out

verb

wore out; worn out; wearing out; wears out

transitive verb

1

: tire, exhaust

2

: to make useless especially by long or hard usage

3

: erase, efface

4

: to endure through : outlast

wear out a storm

5

: to consume (time) tediously

wear out idle days

intransitive verb

: to become useless from long or excessive wear or use

Synonyms

• break
• burn out
• bust
• do in
• do up
• drain
• exhaust
• fag
• fatigue
• frazzle
• harass
• kill
• knock out
• outwear
• tire
• tucker (out)
• wash out
• wear
• weary

Examples of wear out in a Sentence

keeping up with twin toddlers wears me out

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding to the challenge, approximately 60% of leaders report feeling worn out by the end of each day, highlighting the risk of burnout. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

These signs usually indicate several issues like clogs and obstructions or worn out parts. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025

List of TikTok app alternatives Inflation is wearing out its welcome …: Inflation sped up in December, closing out 2024 at 2.9 percent. —Cate Martel, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025

And when an item gets worn out, it is removed from the library. —Amirah Razman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

wear out

verb

1

: to tire gradually

worn out from exercising

2

: to make or become useless by wear