Shopworn (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse; "bromidic sermons"; "his remarks were trite and commonplace"; "hackneyed phrases"; "a stock answer"; "repeating threadbare jokes"; "parroting some timeworn axiom"; "the trite metaphor `hard as nails'".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The comedian's jokes had become shopworn from years of repeating the same material at every show.
- The phrase "thinking outside the box" had become shopworn and lost its original meaning through overuse.
- Her speech was filled with shopworn platitudes about success and hard work, but lacked any real substance.
- The politician's excuse for not attending the debate was a shopworn one, having been used by his opponents several times before.
- The professor's attempts at humor fell flat due to his reliance on shopworn jokes and outdated pop culture references.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Worn or faded from being on display in a store; "shopworn merchandise at half price".
Classification
All adjective clusters.