HACKNEYED Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'hackneyed' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hackneyed are stereotyped , threadbare , and trite . While all these words mean "lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest," 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

Q: When is 'stereotyped' a more appropriate choice than 'hackneyed'?

Although the words stereotyped and hackneyed have much in common, stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form. // views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

Q: When would 'threadbare' be a good substitute for 'hackneyed'?

The meanings of threadbare and hackneyed largely overlap; however, threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted. // a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Q: When might 'trite' be a better fit than 'hackneyed'?

While the synonyms trite and hackneyed are close in meaning, trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity. // "you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

hackneyed 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhak-nēd

Definition of hackneyed

as in stereotyped

used or heard so often as to be dull it's hackneyed, but true—the more you save the more you earn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hackneyed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of hackney

as in exhausted

to use so much as to make less appealing advertisers have hackneyed the word "revolutionary" so much that it now just means that a product is new

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective hackneyed differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of hackneyed are stereotyped, threadbare, and trite. While all these words mean "lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest," 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

When is stereotyped a more appropriate choice than hackneyed?

Although the words stereotyped and hackneyed have much in common, stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

When would threadbare be a good substitute for hackneyed?

The meanings of threadbare and hackneyed largely overlap; however, threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

When might trite be a better fit than hackneyed?

While the synonyms trite and hackneyed are close in meaning, trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

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 hackneyed

Adjective

This is actually better than some of the hackneyed rom-coms Reiner muddled through, a coming-of-age story about two kids’ pseudo-love story from grade school through middle school. — Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025 Unfortunately though, Cooper can’t escape certain hackneyed biopic tropes in representing the songwriting, which are almost impossible to avoid. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025 The story revolves around this character in ways that feel hackneyed and forced. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Trauma is not a hackneyed literary trope in the work of Miriam Toews. — Lorrie Moore, The New York Review of Books, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hackneyed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hackneyed

Adjective

Despite their outer appearances and oftentimes stereotyped personalities, the ladies embrace each other’s depths and contradictions.

— Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026
This is a directed, stereotyped behavior in which the highest-resolution region of the somatosensory surface is brought to bear on the object requiring the most detailed analysis.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of stereotyped

Verb

The person with the least votes after each round is eliminated, with ballots reapportioned or exhausted until the winner clears 50%.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
In fact, even before the show actually starts, Bob can be exhausted, having been awake since some ridiculous hour.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhausted

Adjective

Getting camera-ready Crawford never tired of redecorating her house throughout her 26 years there and had a long collaborative relationship with decorator William Haines.

— Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
As such, the group designed this high-tech salve to revive tired skin on a cellular level, but also with a little mood boost.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tired

Verb

But 1984 is continuously overused by fans as evidence of what the program can achieve.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
While the analogy may be slightly overused, the challenge is that oil still needs to be refined into a useful end product.

— Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of overused

Adjective

Much of the advice for making friends can feel silly or trite, but focusing on three areas may make a significant impact on your social situation.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
What elevates these numbers too is the sharp writing, which strikes that balance between being pithy enough to be memorable without being trite.

— Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of trite

Verb

The face of it is teenagers who are rebellious, bored by school (often for good reason), and beyond parent control.

— Kalman Hettleman, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
The twin tubes, bored at a rate of roughly 30 feet per day, will take about a year to dig.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of bored

Adjective

However, cinematographers always need time and encouragement to get inventive with commonplace tools, especially in the documentary world where Hutchens does so much work.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
In 20 years’ time, one of the extravagances in these pages may be as commonplace as the smartphone is now.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of commonplace

Verb

Imai had pitched twice in the previous 19 days, occupying a roster spot while leaving his fellow relievers overexposed.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
While some use leverage strategically, many are overexposed, risking severe losses when markets inevitably correct, proving even good ideas can fail without surviving volatility.

— Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of overexposed

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“Hackneyed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hackneyed. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hackneyed

adjective

verb

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Hackneyed Phrases, Both Old and New

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