Dictionary
hackneyed
adjective hack·neyed \ˈhak-nēd\
: not interesting, funny, etc., because of being used too often : not fresh or original
Full Definition of HACKNEYED
: lacking in freshness or originality <hackneyed slogans>
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First Known Use of HACKNEYED
1735
Related to HACKNEYED
- Synonyms
- banal, cliché (also cliche), clichéd, cobwebby, commonplace, hack, hackney, stale, moth-eaten, musty, obligatory, shopworn, stereotyped, threadbare, timeworn, tired, trite, well-worn
Synonym Discussion of HACKNEYED
trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest. trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity <“you win some, you lose some” is a trite expression>. hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless <all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed>. stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form <views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date>. threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted <a mystery novel with a threadbare plot>.
Rhymes with HACKNEYED
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