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Showing results for has-been. Search instead for has-beens.
Definitions

has-been

[haz-bin] / ˈhæzˌbɪn /
ADJECTIVE
behind the times
Synonyms
WEAK
antiquated back number dated obsolete of the old school old hat old-fashioned out-of-date outdated outmoded passé square unfashionable
ADJECTIVE
obsolete
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antiquated archaic out-of-date outmoded
WEAK
anachronistic ancient antediluvian antique bygone dated dead dead and gone dinosaur discarded disused done for dusty extinct fossil gone had it horse and buggy kaput moldy moth-eaten old old-fashioned old-hat old-school out out-of-fashion outworn passé stale superannuated superseded timeworn unfashionable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
current modern new
WEAK
contemporary in vogue present up-to-date
ADJECTIVE
old hat
Synonyms
WEAK
back number behind the times dated old-fashioned old-school outmoded
Antonyms
WEAK
up-to-date
ADJECTIVE
outdated
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antiquated archaic obsolete old out-of-date outmoded
WEAK
anachronous antique back number dated démodé moth-eaten old hat out out of style passé square tired unfashionable vintage
Antonyms
STRONGEST
contemporary current modern new present recent up-to-date young
ADJECTIVE
outdated/out-of-date
Synonyms
WEAK
anachronous antiquated antique archaic back number behind the times dated dusty démodé moth-eaten musty not with it obsolete old old-hat out out of style outmoded passé square tired unfashionable vintage
Antonyms
WEAK
current fashionable modern new popular up-to-date
ADJECTIVE
outmoded
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antiquated archaic obsolete out-of-date
STRONG
antique bent dated fossilized out outworn superannuated superseded tired
WEAK
anachronistic antediluvian behind the times bygone dead dinosaur disused démodé extinct horse and buggy moldy moth-eaten musty obsolescent old-hat old-time olden out of style passé unfashionable unstylish unusable vintage
Antonyms
STRONGEST
current modern new present
STRONG
fresh
WEAK
newfangled popular up-to-date
ADJECTIVE
passé
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antiquated dated
STRONG
disused démodé obsolete out-of-date outdated outmoded outworn
WEAK
belated dead extinct superseded unfashionable yesterday
Antonyms
WEAK
current fashionable in in vogue modern new
NOUN
failure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disappointment
STRONG
also-ran bankrupt bum castaway deadbeat defaulter derelict dud flop good-for-nothing incompetent insolvent loafer loser might-have-been moocher nobody prodigal turkey underachiever washout
WEAK
born loser lumpy no-good nonperformer
Antonyms
STRONG
hard worker success
WEAK
accomplishment achievement achiever attainment earnings gain merit win
NOUN
loser
Synonyms
STRONGEST
also-ran underdog
STRONG
deadbeat defeated dud failure flop
WEAK
disadvantaged down-and-outer flunkee underprivileged
Antonyms
STRONG
success
WEAK
achiever winner

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.

Peet connected to the unease of not knowing how to recognize when one has become a has-been and staying open to whatever life still has to offer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

It's up to the player, manager, or has-been like myself to make a judgement call in the moment.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 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

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

I hadn’t attained that level of status in my career and at my age, I was already considered a has-been.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.