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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Two boys—tall, thickset teens—trailed behind her, clad in threadbare suits, looking bored and sullen.

From Literature

He knew every stitch, every threadbare patch by feel.

From Literature

"The farmers are the poorest people in Ivory Coast," he added, showing his threadbare clothes.

From Barron's

I wore a threadbare coat that bore grease stains on the arms, and my cheeks were smudged brown with dirt and grime.

From Literature