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.
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 farmers are the poorest people in Ivory Coast," he added, showing his threadbare clothes.
From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026
The club were left with a threadbare squad in the summer after Josh Windass and Michael Smith walked away from their contracts.
From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025
Lately, it seems, the risk-averse screenwriting rules of what-should-happen-by-which-page that have steered Hollywood movies for far too long are feeling especially threadbare.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
We teenagers are given extra camp money to spend in the store on makeup and clean, if threadbare, dresses.
From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper
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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.