threadbare

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

European allies might join the U.S. in defending the Strait, but their navies are already threadbare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

The transfer will be a huge boost to Glasner, who said his threadbare side were in "survival mode" following Thursday's 1-1 draw with Fulham.

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

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

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

I also observed that his name, backward, was the French verb for wearing one’s clothes threadbare, so I told him that as well, with no offense intended as his clothes were fine.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver