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
This is one resilient bear, even in the face of a villainous Hugh Grant, who plays a narcissistic, has-been actor.
—
Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
This isn’t a turn of events that Macchio, 63, possibly could have expected just a few years ago, when most of Hollywood had dismissed him as an Eighties has-been.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2025
Hackett, his bungalow neighbor Faye Greener (Karen Black), her vaudevillian has-been father (Burgess Meredith), assorted whores, hangers-on, venal studio executives, and a WASPy lunk — auspiciously named Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) — suckered by Hollywood’s erotic promise.
—Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
On-air remarks by a commentator working for the host broadcaster about Djokovic being overrated and a has-been caused a stir during Week 1 of the Australian Open.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Boxing, it should be said, still exists, but these days a casual fan is more likely to see a YouTuber fight a has-been than an actual title fight.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, a has-been Hollywood star who makes the reckless decision to take an experimental drug that creates a second version of herself: the younger, tauter Sue (Margaret Qualley).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
Nicole Scherzinger, too, is undeniable, bringing astounding vocals and haunting desperation to vampiric Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Roy isn’t as indelible a character as Crash Davis — likewise, Tin Cup isn’t as memorable as Bull Durham — but playing a stubborn has-been who used to be a promising golfer allowed Costner to flex his ordinary-man muscles.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024
Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
This isn’t a turn of events that Macchio, 63, possibly could have expected just a few years ago, when most of Hollywood had dismissed him as an Eighties has-been.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2025
Hackett, his bungalow neighbor Faye Greener (Karen Black), her vaudevillian has-been father (Burgess Meredith), assorted whores, hangers-on, venal studio executives, and a WASPy lunk — auspiciously named Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) — suckered by Hollywood’s erotic promise.
—Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
On-air remarks by a commentator working for the host broadcaster about Djokovic being overrated and a has-been caused a stir during Week 1 of the Australian Open.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Boxing, it should be said, still exists, but these days a casual fan is more likely to see a YouTuber fight a has-been than an actual title fight.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, a has-been Hollywood star who makes the reckless decision to take an experimental drug that creates a second version of herself: the younger, tauter Sue (Margaret Qualley).
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
Nicole Scherzinger, too, is undeniable, bringing astounding vocals and haunting desperation to vampiric Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Roy isn’t as indelible a character as Crash Davis — likewise, Tin Cup isn’t as memorable as Bull Durham — but playing a stubborn has-been who used to be a promising golfer allowed Costner to flex his ordinary-man muscles.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 1 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Has-been.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/has-been. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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