threadbare
adjective
thread·bare
ˈthred-ˌber 
1
2
: exhausted of interest or freshness
threadbareness
noun
Examples of threadbare in a Sentence
bought a threadbare couch at a garage sale
a novel filled with nothing but threadbare clichés
Recent Examples on the Web
The Croisette, usually home to giant activations for upcoming studio releases, was threadbare.
—
Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 May 2025
Although the Bulls have a few genuinely promising options at guard and wing positions, their current frontcourt is threadbare.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
Or rampant public urination represents another snag in the threadbare social fabric.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
At least one of those additions is likely to come at linebacker, where the Trojans’ depth is most threadbare.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threadbare
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Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 May 2025
Although the Bulls have a few genuinely promising options at guard and wing positions, their current frontcourt is threadbare.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
Or rampant public urination represents another snag in the threadbare social fabric.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
At least one of those additions is likely to come at linebacker, where the Trojans’ depth is most threadbare.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threadbare
Cite this Entry
“Threadbare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threadbare. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
threadbare
adjective
thread·bare
ˈthred-ˌba(ə)r
-ˌbe(ə)r
1
: worn so much that the thread shows : shabby
threadbare clothes
2
: barely adequate
a threadbare store with few items
a threadbare event lacking excitement
3
: having lost freshness and interest from overuse
threadbare jokes
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