go stale
idiom
1
of a food
: to become no longer fresh
The bread went stale.
2
: to become dull or predictable
Their relationship went stale.
Examples of go stale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How To Store Blueberry Scones Fresh scones can go stale quite quickly.
—
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Fluctuating temperatures can make bread go stale faster.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
Nearly 53% of Alameda County listings had been on the market for more than 30 days — a 7.6% annual increase from June 2023 — while Contra Costa saw almost 50% of listings go stale, a 7% increase.
—Tom Li, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024
Here’s how to break it down: For the Roasted Chicken and Bread With Fennel-Arugula Salad, cut off four ¾-inch-thick slices and let the slices sit at room temperature to go stale.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021
While Nicholson usually whips up her pasta art for clients to enjoy right away, this project transformed her work into a mini kitchen gallery that will never go stale.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 29 July 2020
Ground coffee will go stale in a few weeks, but coffee beans in an unopened package (no need for a freezer) are fine for up to nine months.
—Laura Daily, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2020
However, keep in mind that bird seed can eventually go stale, so avoid buying the biggest bird feeder on the market if your yard only gets a few avian guests a day.
—Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023
Figuring out how to creatively spend time together so the relationship doesn’t go stale or fizzle is key, says Jackson.
—Lindsay Geller, Women's Health, 28 Feb. 2023
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Fluctuating temperatures can make bread go stale faster.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
Nearly 53% of Alameda County listings had been on the market for more than 30 days — a 7.6% annual increase from June 2023 — while Contra Costa saw almost 50% of listings go stale, a 7% increase.
—Tom Li, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024
Here’s how to break it down: For the Roasted Chicken and Bread With Fennel-Arugula Salad, cut off four ¾-inch-thick slices and let the slices sit at room temperature to go stale.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021
While Nicholson usually whips up her pasta art for clients to enjoy right away, this project transformed her work into a mini kitchen gallery that will never go stale.
—Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 29 July 2020
Ground coffee will go stale in a few weeks, but coffee beans in an unopened package (no need for a freezer) are fine for up to nine months.
—Laura Daily, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2020
However, keep in mind that bird seed can eventually go stale, so avoid buying the biggest bird feeder on the market if your yard only gets a few avian guests a day.
—Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023
Figuring out how to creatively spend time together so the relationship doesn’t go stale or fizzle is key, says Jackson.
—Lindsay Geller, Women's Health, 28 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Go stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20stale. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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