mothball
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for mothball, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small ball of chemical, usually naphthalene, kept among stored clothes to keep moths from damaging them.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
unmothball
How to use mothball
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
smell of mothballs
mothball a ship
mothball a project
mothballed fleet
The verb sense is common in news and business writing about projects, factories and vehicles being put on hold.
Etymology
The noun combines moth with ball, describing a small ball used to keep moths away from stored clothing. The verb was later formed from the noun, extending the idea of putting something away in storage to cover shelving plans or projects more generally.
Full origin of mothball →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to mothball something?
It means taking it out of use and putting it into storage, often while keeping it in good enough condition to bring back later.
Why are mothballs used in wardrobes?
They release a pesticide, traditionally camphor and now usually naphthalene, that keeps moth larvae from eating stored clothes and fabrics.
Is mothballing a project the same as cancelling it?
Not quite; mothballing usually means pausing or postponing work for now rather than scrapping it for good.
