as in boring
lacking in distinctive features or qualities
a plain vanilla version of a song that's been recorded more times than necessary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 vanilla
The court has ruled that the companies must develop a new product formula that does not include vanilla derived from non-vanilla plant sources within 12 months of the settlement’s finalization, according to the news release.
—
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vanilla
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for vanilla
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanilla
Adjective
-
Despite looking like a fighter pilot who could win a game of dogfight football, Colin isn’t framed as a temptation for Marissa, and a lack of sexy secrets proves to be a recurring blind spot for the series, even if those two have plenty of other skeletons in their massive, boring closets.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
-
All this after Fern just wanted to renovate her boring bookseller life by starting over next to her orc pal Viv’s coffee shop!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Quince Italian Leather Horsebit Loafer The leather loafers come in three neutral colors, including black, tan, and white, and each features the same horsebit double-ring and gold bar on the front that’s so similar to the design of Gucci’s pair.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Keep your back flat against the wall with your shoulders back and your head in a neutral position.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Creamy beige and white walls run throughout, as do natural materials such as wood and veined stone.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Christina wore a more masculine outfit, a beige suit, with her hair slicked back.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For example, a test site of Shaanxi Aerospace in Sanyuan county, which sits in remote mountains near Xi’an, looks nondescript.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In fact, the Blackhawks’ nondescript 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night was a reminder that as far as the Blackhawks have come, there’s still so much farther to go.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Gardner carted his supplies to this featureless patch of earth near the fort, set up his tripods and cameras, and then arranged his dark tent nearby, out of sight of the camera’s lens.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
-
These religious Iranians are bad Iranians, presented here as blandly featureless aside from their obsession with controlling women, while Roya — with her giggling desire to meet Timothée Chalamet — is recognizably more western and therefore good.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vanilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanilla. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share