threadbare

adjective

thread·​bare ˈthred-ˌber How to pronounce threadbare (audio)
1
a
: having the nap worn off so that the thread shows : shabby
threadbare clothes
b
: wearing threadbare clothing : very poor
took in threadbare relativesRussell Baker
c
: barely adequate because of cheapness or shabbiness
a threadbare production
2
: exhausted of interest or freshness
threadbareness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for threadbare

trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest.

trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.

all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Examples of threadbare in a Sentence

bought a threadbare couch at a garage sale a novel filled with nothing but threadbare clichés
Recent Examples on the Web The former convicts said the threadbare prison-issue blankets often provided the only source of warmth in the Arctic nights. Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The evening roll call proved tight, with Speaker Mike Johnson’s threadbare GOP majority unable to handle many defectors or absences in the face of staunch Democratic opposition to impeaching Mayorkas, the first Cabinet secretary facing charges in nearly 150 years. Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024 But Stress Positions feels threadbare, sloppy and under-developed. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Unfortunately, life in the 2020s may have grown too expensive, and the social safety net too threadbare, for many such would-be bohemians. Marc Hogan, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2023 The pandemic decimated the already threadbare industry forcing 16,000 childcare centers to close nationwide and 100,000 workers to leave the profession. TIME, 24 Oct. 2023 Friedman’s season-long acceptance of a threadbare rotation haunted them with the worst first three postseason starts — 4 2/3 innings total — in major league history. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Jordan’s legislative record is surprisingly threadbare even by the standards of modern Congresses. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 17 Oct. 2023 Yet in a grim commentary on the threadbare state of the Red Sox’ pitching staff, the team managed to do just that for the first time in club history. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'threadbare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of threadbare was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near threadbare

Cite this Entry

“Threadbare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threadbare. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

threadbare

adjective
thread·​bare ˈthred-ˌba(ə)r How to pronounce threadbare (audio)
-ˌbe(ə)r
1
: worn so much that the thread shows : shabby
threadbare clothes
2
: barely adequate
a threadbare store with few items
a threadbare event lacking excitement
3
: having lost freshness and interest from overuse
threadbare jokes

More from Merriam-Webster on threadbare

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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