mothballs

verb

present tense third-person singular of mothball
as in dismantles
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mothballs The company currently mothballs vines — an industry phrase for when growers reduce the labor involved in grape farming and do not pick the fruit — and has pulled out vines over the past 10 years. — Lizzie Kane july 26, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mothballs
dismantles
Verb
  • Raman contends that Bass’ signature program Inside Safe, which dismantles encampments and moves people living there into motels, hotels and interim housing, is overly expensive and unsustainable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This is what happens when the government dismantles the country’s vast environmental intelligence system.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismantles

Browse Nearby Words

mothballing
mothballs
moth-eaten
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Cite this Entry

“Mothballs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mothballs. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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