Definitions

dilapidated

[dih-lap-i-dey-tid] / dɪˈlæp ɪˌdeɪ tɪd /

ADJECTIVE

falling apart; in ruins

Synonyms

STRONGEST

battered broken-down crumbling damaged decaying decrepit derelict dingy in ruins neglected ramshackle rickety run down seedy shabby unkempt

STRONG

decayed faded impaired injured marred

WEAK

beat-up crumbly crummy dog-eared fallen-in in a bad way old ratty raunchy rinky-dink shaky slummy tacky threadbare tumble-down uncared-for unimproved used-up worn-out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK good healthy neat nice repaired sound stable

WEAK

in good repair rebuilt

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Earlier this year Banjo & Ro's Grand Island Hotel aired on BBC Scotland, focused around the interior designer attempting to restore dilapidated mansion Ulva House.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

The buildings near the back of the complex were dilapidated.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

It identified three other projects, including the rehabilitation of the historic but dilapidated Wadsworth Chapel, that would be funded by redirecting $212 million from previous authorizations.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Public transport meanwhile is shambolic, with most commercial vehicles dilapidated and lacking working air conditioning.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

They had moved at first into a dilapidated shed down on the waterfront, on the fringes of Hooverville.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Vocabulary lists containing dilapidated

Grade 10, List 2

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The Maze Runner

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