threadbare

1 of 2

adjective

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

threadbareness

2 of 2

noun

thread·​bare·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being threadbare

Synonyms of threadbare

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date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

Adjective bought a threadbare couch at a garage sale a novel filled with nothing but threadbare clichés
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
If they're stained, threadbare, or no longer absorb water, consider retiring them. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 Merchants in fine suits rode in carriages or on sedan chairs while enslaved people lugging carts and crates wore dirty, threadbare clothing and could be publicly whipped or burned to death for misbehavior. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 9 June 2026 Anissa had never been to the original, threadbare Hollywood strip mall iteration of the restaurant last decade. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 Picture him in his threadbare suit, nervously smoking his Tecla cigarettes, his eyes obliquely devouring everything, his notes on a small table that resembles a pulpit. — Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for threadbare

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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

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

Rhymes for threadbare

See All Rhymes for threadbare

Browse Nearby Words

thread bar
threadbare
threadbareness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Threadbare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threadbare. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of threadbare for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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