Hackneyed

/ˈhækniːd/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Lacking in freshness or originality; trite or clichéd.

The film's plot was filled with hackneyed tropes that failed to engage the audience.

Made commonplace or stale by repeated use.

His speech was peppered with hackneyed phrases that did little to inspire the crowd.

Overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect.

The slogan became hackneyed after being repeated in every commercial.

The term derives from the late 19th century, originally referring to a horse that is overly used for work.

hackneyed phrase

An expression that has become clichéd due to excessive use.

hackneyed idea

An idea that lacks originality because it has been repeated many times.

cliché

A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.

platitude

A remark or statement that is dull or flat due to being overused.

banality

The condition or quality of being banal; unoriginality.

Stale or boring content.

That movie was so hackneyed, I could predict the ending.

Anything that feels overly familiar and uninteresting.

The song felt hackneyed with its repetitive hooks.