threadbare
6 antonyms and opposites of threadbare, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Worn so thin that the threads of the fabric show through; shabby from long use.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Worn so thin that the threads of the fabric show through; shabby from long use.
“He answered the door in a threadbare dressing gown.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Used so often that it has lost all force or interest, said of an argument, excuse, joke or idea.
“The minister trotted out the same threadbare excuse about "lessons learned".”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to use threadbare
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral and slightly literary. In the figurative sense it carries a note of contempt.
Etymology
From Middle English, literally "bare down to the thread": cloth worn until the nap is gone and only the woven threads remain.
Full origin of threadbare →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between threadbare and tattered?
Threadbare cloth is worn thin and smooth, with the nap rubbed away, but usually still in one piece. Tattered cloth is torn into ragged strips or hanging in shreds. Threadbare suggests long, gentle use; tattered suggests damage.
Can threadbare describe something other than fabric?
Yes, and that figurative use is very common. A threadbare argument, apology or plotline is one that has been used so many times it has no force left. The image is the same: worn thin by repetition.