uninventive

adjective

un·​in·​ven·​tive ˌən-in-ˈven-tiv How to pronounce uninventive (audio)
: lacking creativity or imagination : not inventive
an uninventive plot
uninventive thinking
uninventively adverb
uninventiveness noun

Examples of uninventive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But for years, eight or nine of the roughly 10 sketches each week have been expected, uninventive, rote duds. Zak Jason, Wired, 21 May 2021 The earnest but uninventive special suffers from a lack of electrifying performances that have defined past ceremonies, with rousing crowd favorites and inspired team-ups between inductees and newer artists. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 7 Nov. 2020 Celebrity cameos are generally a safe bet, but Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's commercial for the luxury car brand Genesis reminded us of how uninventive the tactic can be. Author: Maura Judkis, Sonia Rao, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Feb. 2020 Celebrity cameos are generally a safe bet, but Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s commercial for the luxury car brand Genesis reminded us of how uninventive the tactic can be. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2020 Nonetheless, once again, the passing was slow, sloppy and uninventive. SI.com, 3 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uninventive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of uninventive was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near uninventive

Cite this Entry

“Uninventive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uninventive. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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