threadbare

21 synonyms and 6 antonyms for threadbare, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Worn so thin that the threads of the fabric show through; shabby from long use.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

worn stock tired

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

commonplace stale sparse

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

frayed tattered shabby ragged moth-eaten timeworn hackneyed banal shopworn trite clichéd overused meagre scanty flimsy

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.”

worn frayed tattered shabby ragged moth-eaten timeworn hackneyed banal shopworn stock commonplace

Opposites

new pristine plush

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".”

hackneyed stale trite tired clichéd overused

Opposites

fresh original novel

3. adjective

Thin to the point of inadequacy; barely sufficient.

“The department is running on a threadbare budget.”

meagre scanty sparse flimsy

How to use threadbare

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

threadbare carpet threadbare coat threadbare excuse threadbare argument wear threadbare

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.

People also searched

new original stock fresh tired novel worn commonplace stale sparse pristine shabby

Nearby words

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