hackneyed
made dull and unoriginal through overuse
Word origin: From hackney, a horse let out for common hire, hence overused.
Hackneyed in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing hackneyed in a sentence.
The screenplay relied on hackneyed phrases that the audience had heard countless times before.
The valedictorian's speech relied on hackneyed metaphors about journeys and open doors.
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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence
Once a blank supporter of the policy, the governor now denounces it at every opportunity, embarrassed that she ever endorsed it.
Using “hackneyed” well
Hackneyed describes expressions or ideas worn out and dulled by overuse. It is essentially synonymous with trite and clichéd, all carrying the criticism of staleness.
More GRE words starting with H
done regularly and repeatedly, as a matter of habit
to make accustomed to something through repeated exposure
the erectile hairs along an animal's neck and back that rise in anger or fear; figuratively, a state of anger (as in 'raise someone's hackles')
a biography that idealizes its subject and glosses over flaws
marked by peace, prosperity, and happiness; idyllically calm
to set apart as holy or treat with great reverence
regarded as holy or deeply revered
to perceive something that does not exist as a result of a disordered mental state or external influence
Questions about “hackneyed”
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