has-been
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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The Slattery character is a sad-sack has-been living in a garage, unable to get his former colleague even to respond to a text message.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
“Not a star, just another has-been, lacing up his sneakers in an empty gym on a Wednesday night.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026
He’s invited her to coffee not as father and daughter, but as a has-been angling to cast Nora as the lead of his next film, which he claims he’s written for her.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025
Among other things, he has called you a fraudster and a failed political has-been, but you’re not responding in kind.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2025
“Ibtihaj, you don’t have to be a has-been already,” Mom consoled me.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
When Stokes finally broke the media blackout, he clarified the "has-beens" comment and responded to Johnson by saying England could be called "rubbish", rather than arrogant.
From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2025
What consequential life experiences have I missed, taunting my eyeballs, indulging this social media imp turned experimental pugilist as he bumbles around the ring with has-beens and never-weres?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025
Leading into Perth, Stokes called the former players who had criticised England's low-key build up as "has-beens" -- and that came back to bite him.
From Barron's ● Nov. 23, 2025
In perhaps the saddest post of the day, a user named Saga mocked up a fantasy poster for the event that featured a murderers’ row of has-beens like Papa Roach, Nickelback, Staind and, yep, Creed.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2025
They were only aware that this was where they either went to State, or turned into has-beens as quickly as the golden coach turned into a pumpkin.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
