outwear

verb

out·​wear ˌau̇t-ˈwer How to pronounce outwear (audio)
outwore ˌau̇t-ˈwȯr How to pronounce outwear (audio) ; outworn ˌau̇t-ˈwȯrn How to pronounce outwear (audio) ; outwearing
Synonyms of outwearnext

transitive verb

1
: wear out, exhaust
2
: to last longer than
a fabric that outwears others

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of outwear in a Sentence

these running shoes have outworn any others that I have ever bought a daily grind that would outwear anybody
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In Nazi eyes the conception of abstract justice is outworn. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011 One result is that the national railway—which before the war was disparaged as uncomfortable, slow, and outworn—has become critically important for transporting people and goods. — Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outwear was in 1542

Rhymes for outwear

See All Rhymes for outwear

Browse Nearby Words

outwatch
outwear
outweep
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outwear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outwear. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

outwear

verb
out·​wear (ˈ)au̇t-ˈwa(ə)r How to pronounce outwear (audio)
-ˈwe(ə)r
outwore -ˈwō(ə)r How to pronounce outwear (audio)
-ˈwȯ(ə)r
 ; outworn -ˈwō(ə)rn How to pronounce outwear (audio)
-ˈwȯ(ə)rn
 ; outwearing
: to last longer than
a fabric that outwears others
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All