as in to dismantle
to stop using (something) while keeping it to be possibly used in the future
Many navy ships were mothballed after the war.
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Recent Examples of mothball
Having spent its life mothballed in storage, the car shows only 75 kilometers (just less than 47 miles) on its digital odometer.
—
Howard Walker, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2025
In recent months, Microsoft contracted with Constellation Energy to restart Unit 1 of the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, which was mothballed 5 years ago.
—David Blackmon, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
The structure could be mothballed sometime next year until a plan for its reuse is determined.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
The distillery operated sporadically before being mothballed in 1998 and demolished in 2013.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mothball
Howard Walker, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2025
In recent months, Microsoft contracted with Constellation Energy to restart Unit 1 of the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, which was mothballed 5 years ago.
—David Blackmon, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
The structure could be mothballed sometime next year until a plan for its reuse is determined.
—Jason Clayworth, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
The distillery operated sporadically before being mothballed in 1998 and demolished in 2013.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for mothball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mothball
dismantle
Verb
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Rublev, who reacted similarly after Joao Fonseca dismantled him at the Australian Open in January, has sought to manage the self-flagellating anger that has marked his worst moments on court, but still feels further away from the top of the sport than ever.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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Companies like Meta, Amazon and Walmart began dismantling diversity programs before Trump took office, and many more backed off after his inauguration.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mothball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mothball. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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