Examples 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 white elephant
The story of Hambantota is not one of China securing a geopolitical prize—the port is neither economically viable nor geographically suited for naval use—but one of Sri Lanka building a white elephant.
—
Audrye Wong, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The meeting, which included a social time and white elephant exchange of gifts, drew 34 members from across San Diego County.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024
Its rival Airbus was the one struggling, on the verge of abandoning its $25 billion mistake, the A380 superjumbo jet that had turned out to be a white elephant with little demand from airlines or passengers.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
More big stories Queen Mary, once a sinking white elephant, shows signs of remarkable revival.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for white elephant 
Audrye Wong, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
The meeting, which included a social time and white elephant exchange of gifts, drew 34 members from across San Diego County.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024
Its rival Airbus was the one struggling, on the verge of abandoning its $25 billion mistake, the A380 superjumbo jet that had turned out to be a white elephant with little demand from airlines or passengers.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
More big stories Queen Mary, once a sinking white elephant, shows signs of remarkable revival.
—Shelby Grad, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for white elephant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for white elephant
Noun
-
Leitch produced the film, which was a passable Netflix throwaway hampered by dopey B-movie conventions.Will Leitch, Vulture, 24 June 2024
-
Particularly in the final 30 or 40 minutes, Lashon steals a number of the show’s biggest laughs, making a meal out of throwaway lines and small gestures.Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
In a video on Instagram, the car reaches speeds up to 130 mph in slightly more than three seconds and 100 to 150 mph in slightly under three seconds.Antonio Planas, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Simply sweep on your favorite hue with your finger tips and blend at the crease for blurred, yet vivid color in seconds.Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Collins was mortified; the conga player was rubbish.Ryan Craig, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024
-
Seven-year-old Maria and her mother live in their own loving but surreal world built on sorting through bins and collecting shiny rubbish into an overflowing house.Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
The next city holiday to affect trash pickup in Louisville is Thanksgiving.John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
-
The next holiday that will affect trash pickup is Thanksgiving.John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Governments should support and incentivize organisations to implement Sustainable Development Goals into their operations, and policies around public transport and waste management can also help businesses lower their environmental footprint.Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Daniel Alvarez is in the business of finding solutions to reduce their waste steam and lower costs.Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Before those two scraps, UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal looks to continue his charge up the rankings against Paul Craig.Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
-
But after the feast is done, piles of food scraps and uneaten leftovers find their way into the garbage.London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to white elephant
Thesaurus Entries Near white elephant
Cite this Entry
“White elephant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/white%20elephant. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share