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Showing results for threadbare. Search instead for threadbar.
Definitions

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.

"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

The case against her was threadbare, a product of postwar rancor, false testimony and manipulative journalists who had preyed on her naivete.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Bringing my “whole self” to every moment left me threadbare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

It looked like the handyman had been on vacation for the past couple centuries, and the threadbare, watery pink carpet leading to the office was barely hanging on.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.