(the) worse for wear
idiom
: in worse condition after doing or experiencing something
He came out of basic training only slightly the worse for wear.
The kids emerged from the woods looking none the worse for wear.
Examples of (the) worse for wear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If your daily driver sneakers are looking a little worse for wear, now’s your chance to save on these best-selling Skechers Go Walk Joy Slip-ons, which are a dream for getting through security checkpoints.
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Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2025
But in recent years, scientists have discovered a rare breed who consistently get little shut-eye and are no worse for wear.
—Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Notre Dame wraps up a muggy opening day, worse for wear with Rubio being lost.
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
And at all hours of the day, people were coming back worse for wear.
—Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for (the) worse for wear 
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Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2025
But in recent years, scientists have discovered a rare breed who consistently get little shut-eye and are no worse for wear.
—Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
Notre Dame wraps up a muggy opening day, worse for wear with Rubio being lost.
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
And at all hours of the day, people were coming back worse for wear.
—Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for (the) worse for wear
Dictionary Entries Near (the) worse for wear
Cite this Entry
“(the) worse for wear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28the%29%20worse%20for%20wear. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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