well-worn

adjective

ˈwel-ˈwȯrn How to pronounce well-worn (audio)
Definition of well-wornnext
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull people at the funeral offered the grieving family well-worn platitudes and expressions of sympathy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of well-worn The New York subway system was one of Keith Haring’s most beloved and well-worn canvases. — Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024 The we’re-never-going-to-play-together-again-to-lucrative-reunion trail is well-worn at this point — just ask such famously feuding acts as the Eagles, Guns ‘N Roses, Pixies and, most recently and famously, Oasis: If there’s a windfall, there’s a way. — Jeff Miller, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024 The ship generally looks good for its age, but some parts appeared well-worn. — Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 16 June 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for well-worn
  1. stereotyped
  2. tired
  3. hackneyed
  4. commonplace
Adjective
  • At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Tragedies can be examined by those outside of its sphere of destruction, but the groundswell of feeling from Mexican viewers and critics is that there was little or no care taken to understand the cultural grief beyond stereotyped spectacle.
    — Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Definition of stereotyped
Adjective
  • Robbins was mostly Black, a place built by Black people who were tired of racial conflict in Chicago.
    — D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Was Michelle ever tired of using the vibrator all the time in the show?
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The movie’s a little more hackneyed and obvious now, but its central idea is still an undeniably creepy one: possessed children with pitchforks.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Which is a nauseatingly hackneyed and clichéd — not to mention stupefyingly reductive — type of statement to make about any kind of art or entertainment, of course.
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Definition of hackneyed
Adjective
  • Direct trade models that are commonplace in the coffee industry are not so in the tea industry (albeit not unheard of), because of the way the majority of the latter operates through world market auctions and regional export/importers.
    — Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But for others, particularly younger Americans, this could be the season of life where receiving wedding invitations is commonplace, and the costs are adding up.
    — Nerdwallet, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of commonplace

Browse Nearby Words

well-wishing
well-worn
welt
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Cite this Entry

“Well-worn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/well-worn. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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