cliche
Worn-out old saying
A cliche is an expression or idea so overused it has lost its force or originality: avoid cliches like the plague, at the end of the day, it is what it is.
The word extends to any tired or predictable element—a cliched plot twist, a cliched character type.
What begins as vivid or insightful becomes cliche through repetition.
Overused and unoriginal
- triteOverused, lacking freshness
- banalUnoriginal and dull
- staleNo longer fresh
- tiredLacking energy, needing rest
worn-out · overused · threadbare · shopworn · moth-eaten · well-worn · overworked · rehashed
Function's rate of change
- unoriginalNot new or novel
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- commonplaceUnremarkable and frequent
- prosaicLacking imagination or excitement
mundane · vapid · insipid · predictable · conventional · humdrum · dull · bland
Statement needing no proof
- bromideOverused phrase or chemical
- chestnutOverused joke or edible nut
- sayingShort, wise expression
- adageTraditional pithy truth
maxim · saw · homily · proverb · aphorism · banality · catchphrase · slogan
Exaggerated comic depiction
- generalizationDeriving principles from examples
- oversimplificationStripping complexity unfairly
- stock characterConventional recurring persona
- typecastRepeatedly assigned similar roles
pigeonhole · trope · archetype · cardboard cutout · one-dimensional · flat character · cookie-cutter · damsel in distress
Recurring narrative device
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- motifRecurring thematic element
- formulaFixed method or notation
- plot deviceStorytelling element advancing action
genre convention · deus ex machina · meet-cute · cliffhanger · love triangle · chosen one · redemption arc · origin story
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
tired · worn-out · overused · threadbare · shopworn · moth-eaten · well-worn · overworked · rehashed · corny
derivative
Function's rate of change
- unoriginalNot new or novel
- uninspiredLacking creative spark
- commonplaceUnremarkable and frequent
prosaic · mundane · vapid · insipid · predictable · conventional · humdrum · dull · bland · imitative
truism
Statement needing no proof
adage · maxim · saw · homily · proverb · aphorism · banality · catchphrase · slogan · buzzword
caricature
Exaggerated comic depiction
- generalizationDeriving principles from examples
- oversimplificationStripping complexity unfairly
- stock characterConventional recurring persona
typecast · pigeonhole · trope · archetype · cardboard cutout · one-dimensional · flat character · cookie-cutter · damsel in distress · wise mentor
trope
Recurring narrative device
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- motifRecurring thematic element
- formulaFixed method or notation
plot device · genre convention · deus ex machina · meet-cute · cliffhanger · love triangle · chosen one · redemption arc · origin story · montage
- vocabularyword, words, new words, term, terms
- clichesplatitude, bromide, tired phrase, worn phrase, trite saying
- folk wisdomproverb, folklore, folk sayings, saying, proverbs
- French Wordsbaguette, femme, croissant, enfant, champagne
- reviewsreview, reviews, rating, ratings, critic
- sayingssayings, saying, proverb, proverbs, adage
clicheoriginal
First or inventive
originality · novel · original expression · fresh · innovative
clicheprofundity
Intellectual or emotional depth
epiphany · revelation · fresh perspective · aphorism · truism