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

In trying to prevent the goal, Joe Gomez picked up an injury to further deplete Liverpool's already threadbare options at centre-back.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 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

I put my hand in my pocket and felt the crackle of thick paper seventy years old, and the new key weighing heavy in the seam of the threadbare woven wool.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein