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antiquated back number dated obsolete of the old school old hat old-fashioned out-of-date outdated outmoded passé square unfashionable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antiquated archaic out-of-date outmoded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buggy kaput moldy moth-eaten old old-fashioned old-hat old-school out out-of-fashion outworn passé stale superannuated superseded timeworn unfashionable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outdated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antiquated archaic obsolete old out-of-date outmoded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outdated/out-of-date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antiquated archaic obsolete out-of-date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antique bent dated fossilized out outworn superannuated superseded tired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disused démodé obsolete out-of-date outdated outmoded outworn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belated dead extinct superseded unfashionable yesterday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

Restored concert footage in Baz Luhrmann’s new documentary, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” challenges the idea that the King was a has-been in the years before his death.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Fearing he’s a has-been, the diminutive, balding Hart slowly succumbs to self-loathing.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 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

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

has-been

Example Sentences

Related Words