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Showing results for mothball. Search instead for mothballin.
Definitions

mothball

[mawth-bawl, moth-] / ˈmɔθˌbɔl, ˈmɒθ- /
VERB
preserve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conserve defend freeze keep perpetuate protect retain safeguard save secure store sustain uphold
STRONG
bottle can cure evaporate guard mummify pickle process refrigerate season shelter shield
WEAK
keep up put up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon attack endanger give up halt harm hurt injure let go lose neglect release spend squander stop use waste
STRONG
forget
WEAK
destroy ruin
VERB
shelve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
freeze give up prolong put off suspend waive
STRONG
delay dismiss drop hold pigeonhole prorogue scrub sideline stay table
WEAK
hang up hold off hold over hold up lay aside put aside put on back burner put on hold put on ice slow up tie up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continue go
STRONG
advance
WEAK
carry out do go ahead
VERB
store
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accumulate bury deposit freeze hide hoard keep lock away pack put save stash stockpile
STRONG
amass bank bin bottle cache can cumulate garner hive hutch park reserve squirrel away stock up treasure victual warehouse
WEAK
keep in reserve lay away lay up lock up pack away put away put by put in storage roll up salt away save for rainy day sock away
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disperse spend squander throw away uncover waste
STRONG
disburse dissipate divide
WEAK
use

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.

"Their temporary closure or mothball can feel like it diminishes a sense of belonging and local pride to a small rural community which has historically had a local school," it added.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

“It literally goes into mothball mode,” said Len Kientz, Evonik’s director of energy management in North America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

The pangram from yesterday’s Spelling Bee was mothball.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2023

Also, the shipyard is home to a mothball fleet — many ships on the way to scrapping — which fluctuates in size.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2021

For example, many combat ships are being returned to active duty from the "mothball fleet" and many others can be put into service on very short notice.

From State of the Union Address by Truman, Harry S.