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Showing results for threadbare. Search instead for abreibbaren.
Definitions

threadbare

[thred-bair] / ˈθrɛdˌbɛər /
ADJECTIVE
worn, frayed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
faded ratty scruffy shabby shopworn tacky tattered
WEAK
beat up damaged dilapidated dingy dog-eared down-at-the-heel frowzy impaired injured old ragged run down seedy timeworn used used-up worn-out worse for wear
Antonyms
WEAK
fresh new unused unworn
ADJECTIVE
trite, corny
Synonyms
STRONGEST
musty stale
WEAK
banal bathetic cliché cliché-ridden clichéd common commonplace conventional dull everyday familiar hackneyed imitative moth-eaten overused poor set stereotyped stock tedious tired uncreative well-worn worn-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
new
WEAK
fresh unused unworn

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.

“She began being grateful for the blankets, the only thing she had — and they were threadbare blankets,” Conniff says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

In trying to prevent the goal, Joe Gomez picked up an injury to further deplete Liverpool's already threadbare options at centre-back.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Years of squeezed spending in some areas leaving some parts of the public services threadbare.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

Bringing your whole self to work can leave you threadbare, writes Amanda Goetz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

“Saints, I hate this thing,” she said, kicking the kefta away and pulling a threadbare dressing gown from a drawer.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Vocabulary lists containing threadbare

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List 4

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