trite
Stale from overuse
Trite describes expressions, ideas, or observations that have been used so often they've lost their force or freshness: a trite phrase, trite sentiments.
A trite observation may be true but offers nothing new—it's been said too many times to land with any impact.
The speech was full of trite platitudes about following your dreams.
Overused, unoriginal expression
- platitudinousOverused and unoriginal
- vapidDull, without depth
- insipidWithout flavor or interest
- prosaicLacking imagination or excitement
mundane · unoriginal · derivative · bland · dull · bromidic · jejune · pallid
Overused and unoriginal
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
- tiredLacking energy, needing rest
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- shopwornDeteriorated from display
moth-eaten · well-worn · overworked · rehashed · old-hat · warmed-over · exhausted · overplayed
Overused to meaninglessness
- mustyStale from dampness
- fustyStale from disuse
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- passéNo longer fashionable
old-fashioned · outdated · unfresh · moldy · cobwebbed · antiquated · yesterday's · outmoded
Able to be foreseen
- stereotypedReduced to oversimplified traits
- stereotypicalFitting an oversimplified image
- stockGoods kept for sale
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
cookie-cutter · boilerplate · by-the-numbers · paint-by-numbers · templated · unimaginative · standard-issue · generic
Cheap and insincere
- hokeyCheaply sentimental or contrived
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- mawkishUnpleasantly overemotional
- saccharineExaggeratedly sentimental
sentimental · kitschy · ham-fisted · heavy-handed · overwrought · melodramatic · sappy · treacly
cliché
Overused, unoriginal expression
- platitudinousOverused and unoriginal
- vapidDull, without depth
- insipidWithout flavor or interest
prosaic · mundane · unoriginal · derivative · bland · dull · bromidic · jejune · pallid · colorless
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
- tiredLacking energy, needing rest
- threadbareWorn until transparent
shopworn · moth-eaten · well-worn · overworked · rehashed · old-hat · warmed-over · exhausted · overplayed · milked
clichéd
Overused to meaninglessness
passé · old-fashioned · outdated · unfresh · moldy · cobwebbed · antiquated · yesterday's · outmoded · worn
predictable
Able to be foreseen
- stereotypedReduced to oversimplified traits
- stereotypicalFitting an oversimplified image
- stockGoods kept for sale
conventional · cookie-cutter · boilerplate · by-the-numbers · paint-by-numbers · templated · unimaginative · standard-issue · generic · ready-made
cheesy
Cheap and insincere
- hokeyCheaply sentimental or contrived
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- mawkishUnpleasantly overemotional
saccharine · sentimental · kitschy · ham-fisted · heavy-handed · overwrought · melodramatic · sappy · treacly · cloying
- sentimentalitymawkish, schmaltzy, saccharine, treacly, cloying
- theatricaltheatrical, dramatic, melodramatic, histrionic, hammy
- Greek musicbouzouki, island music, lyra, mangas, Greek artists
tritecompelling
Powerfully engaging or persuasive
riveting · striking · gripping · captivating · exciting
triteprofound
Intensely meaningful or insightful
insightful · meaningful · substantive · penetrating · incisive
- trite sayingOverused expression lacking originality
contrite, detritus, attrition, triteness, triturate, tritest, tritely