rundown

1 of 2adjective

/ˈrʌndaʊn/

not running because a spring‑driven mechanism has lost its tension

The antique clock stood rundown on the mantel until someone rewound it.
The toy tractor was rundown and needed winding before it would move.
He realized the music box was rundown when the melody faltered and stopped.
The grandfather clock stood silent and rundown until I found the key and gave it a careful wind.
She tried to fix the old wind‑up toy, but the mainspring was so rundown that the gears refused to turn.

showing signs of heavy wear

The delivery van looked rundown after years on the road, its paint flaking and bumper dented.
His work boots were rundown from daily use, the soles nearly separated at the heel.
The once‑proud toolbox looked rundown after years on construction sites.
By the end of the season the baseball field was rundown and full of divots.
The runner's shoes were rundown from daily training and needed replacing.

Synonyms:

feeling or looking exhausted, particularly after an intense physical activity

After weeks of working late, she felt completely run-down and needed a break.
He looked run-down from all the stress at work and lack of sleep.
The doctor told her she was run-down and needed to take better care of herself.
His run-down appearance worried his friends, who urged him to rest.
After taking care of everyone else, she found herself feeling run-down and depleted.

Synonyms:

(of a place or building) in a very poor condition, often due to negligence

The old rundown hotel was in desperate need of repairs.
They decided not to buy the rundown house because of its dilapidated state.
The rundown neighborhood had a high crime rate and few residents.
The factory had been left rundown after the company moved to another location.
The small rundown shop barely attracted any customers anymore.