How does it feel to be a has-been?
Source: tatoeba (7127066)
Has-been
/ˈhæz.bɪn/
Synonyms for "has-been" (65 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: ago, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, back number.
- Sentence evidence is available for has-been, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, wordnet.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "has-been".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "has-been"
Keep "has-been" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "has-been" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "has-been", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "has-been" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
4 entriesSample sentences
7 total sentences available.
It's better to be a has-been than a never-was.
Source: tatoeba (10636038)
Despite all the recent hullabaloo about humankind preparing to go to Mars, we should not overlook the practicality of our Moon—Luna—being possibly the first substantial step of human colonization outside our Earth—Terra. Luna is very much closer than Mars, to Terra. What astronauts, taikonauts, or cosmonauts need really is to practice their space skills on a Moon base. People need to know how to live on worlds with lower gravity. People need to know how to make and raise babies outside Earth. People need to know how to simply live on a different world, and that practice would likely find itself on the Moon. Practice makes perfect. And Luna is it. I have read a research paper supporting the idea of a human facility on the Moon, to prepare us humankind for farther objectives. It would take a long, long time... No, humankind has not yet conquered the Moon! The current romantic focus on Mars is partly because some people think that humankind indeed has conquered the Moon, which is, therefore, a "has-been" for space exploration. Such is a falsehood. Wake up, humanity! Other countries do know...
Source: tatoeba (13020466)
When the aforesaid alderman or another wishes to express mild contemptuosity for his fellows and himself in future I would suggest “old fossils” or “old has beens,” or “old fogies,” then the Sir Galahads that are always riding—or driving—about in this progressive dorp will not have any cause to complain.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "has-been"?
Closest matches include ago, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, back number.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "has-been"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.