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antiquated back number dated obsolete of the old school old hat old-fashioned out-of-date outdated outmoded passé square unfashionable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antiquated archaic out-of-date outmoded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buggy kaput moldy moth-eaten old old-fashioned old-hat old-school out out-of-fashion outworn passé stale superannuated superseded timeworn unfashionable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outdated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antiquated archaic obsolete old out-of-date outmoded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outdated/out-of-date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antiquated archaic obsolete out-of-date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antique bent dated fossilized out outworn superannuated superseded tired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disused démodé obsolete out-of-date outdated outmoded outworn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belated dead extinct superseded unfashionable yesterday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

For those who think of late-career Elvis Presley as only a plump has-been, a gaudy Las Vegas crooner slinging schlock in the 1970s, Baz Luhrmann’s new movie is a bracing corrective.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 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

He referred to the actions of Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones, who shouted "Novak, he's overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out" towards Djokovic fans while live on camera on Friday.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 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.