HAS-BEEN Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

has-been

noun

ˈhaz-ˌbin

Definition of has-been

as in relic

one that has passed the peak of effectiveness or popularity now a has-been, the actor's been reduced to appearing on a third-rate reality show

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Recent Examples of has-been DiCaprio makes a great, vital has-been, squinting at the horrors around him in disbelief, but mostly, driven by the need to protect his child. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Sep. 2025 In the Seventies, he was mocked as a Vegas has-been in a jumpsuit; in the Eighties, as a cultural colonizer. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026 In other words, the vainly hopeful Larry is about to endure twin humiliations, leaving him feeling bumped out of his life and into the past—a has-been, instantly old. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2025 And as alcoholic has-been Morris, Matthau was fantastically slovenly and cynical, an anti–role model for the ages. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025 All this success begs the legitimate question of how the once-struggling reality show for has-been celebrities reinvented itself and became a pop-cultural phenomenon that any public figure would be lucky to utilize as their re-introduction into the zeitgeist. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025 Ken Blake Brea Sorry to see Jerry Neuheisel leave UCLA to join traitor and coaching has-been Chip Kelly at Northwestern. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for has-been

Noun

There are also permanent upgrades to health and attack power, as well as rare relics that enable unique skills, like multiple jumps.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026
Museum of Miami The Museum of Miami, formerly HistoryMiami, holds the relics and artifacts that were excavated at the Miami Circle.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Definition of relic

Noun

Beyond the rides, families can climb the Lookout Towers, meet baby dinosaurs, and explore interactive play areas.

— Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Schindler compared Pluto's reclassification to the dinosaur Brontosaurus, which was renamed Apatosaurus after further study before later regaining its original classification as scientists refined their understanding.

— Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of dinosaur

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“Has-been.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/has-been. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of has-been

noun

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