wear 1 of 2

verb

ˈwer How to pronounce wear (audio)
Definition of wearnext
1
as in to erode
to damage or diminish by continued friction all that walking every day wore the soles of my shoes very quickly

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2
as in to kill
to use up all the physical energy of the job of running their own business wears them sometimes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to tolerate
British to put up with (something painful or difficult) her marriage is so bad—I don't know how she wears it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wear

2 of 2

noun

1
as in corrosion
the result of long and hard use after several years, the carpet was finally showing wear

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clothes
covering for the human body the latest in fashionable wear

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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 wear
Verb
Marcus encourages clients to buy clothes outside their comfort zone and to practice wearing them at home. — Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Yep, they were used and worn by none other than Gene Simmons himself. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
Famous Footwear shopping options includes sport slides and a selection of comfort, performance running styles that cross over into everyday wear. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 Towels lose that wet dog scent, workout clothes bounce back to their neutral state, and everyday wear feels clean again. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear
  1. erode
  2. kill
  3. tolerate
  4. corrosion
  5. clothing
  6. fray
  7. tire
  8. endure
Verb
  • And when heavy rain hits, the larger root structures can absorb excess water that would otherwise run off and erode the soil.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • What’s eroding is their ability to tell which ones deserve their trust.
    — Nirav Tolia, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of erode
Verb
  • The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy is a Massachusetts woman who has been on trial for killing her three children and attempting to take her own life in 2023.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of kill
Verb
  • So a manufacturer’s willingness to tolerate those costs is often determined by what the law requires.
    — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The 130-micrometer polystyrene films came through untouched because spreading the same voltage across ten times the distance drops the field below what the material can tolerate.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • The team will soon add a corrosion rig to test candidate alloys against hot fluids over time.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Titanium is a popular choice for this kind of product as it’s known for being lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of corrosion
Noun
  • Other secret variants included simplified, unsharpened ones to be dropped to resistance fighters that would hide their origin, as well as special small versions or ones with rings in the handle so they could be sewn into clothing or boots.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Few people want to invest in pricier clothing, bespoke interior design services, or luxury furnishings without ever talking with a live person.
    — John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of clothing
Verb
  • Dark, fade-prone clothes should also be turned inside out, as abrasion from rubbing against other clothes can cause fibers to fray, making clothes look faded.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Amid competing global crises and shifting donor priorities, that safety net is fraying.
    — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • In other words, an evening session does not just tire you out.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • The game slows not only because bodies tire more quickly, but because players begin pacing themselves earlier — conserving energy for the moments that matter most.
    — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of tire
Verb
  • When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The biggest wild card is a secret Sunday world premiere with major names promised, underscoring the festival’s enduring appeal as a place where discoveries can happen.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of endure

Phrases Containing wear

Browse Nearby Words

weapons
wear
wearables
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Cite this Entry

“Wear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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