Threadbare

Threadbare describes something, typically clothing or fabric, that is worn to the point where the threads are thin and visible, indicating age, use, or neglect. It can also be used figuratively to describe ideas, arguments, or expressions that have been used so often that they have lost their originality, impact, or value. The term evokes a sense of decay, poverty, or overuse.

Threadbare meaning with examples

• The old quilt, a patchwork of faded blues and greens, was Threadbare in several places, a testament to years of warmth and love. Its fragility made it even more precious, a tangible link to the past.
• He clutched his Threadbare coat tighter as the winter wind bit through his thin defenses. It was the only thing keeping him warm, even if its holes and fraying revealed its age and struggles.
• Their Threadbare argument about the economy, repeated ad nauseam, failed to convince anyone. The tired phrases and recycled statistics had long lost their power to persuade.
• The stage set was minimal, just a few Threadbare props and a painted backdrop that was starting to peel. The cheapness of the production diminished the emotional impact of the play.
• The neighborhood, once vibrant, had become a place of Threadbare elegance. The faded grandeur and peeling paint of the buildings suggested a life of forgotten stories and muted hopes.