1
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
viewers were bored by the stale story lines of the new crop of sitcoms
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the sequel is basically a stale remake of the first movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stale
After two weeks of surviving on biscuits, one daily can of cheese between four men, and a handful of stale pitas, a gas burner finally arrives.
—
Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
One of the most important parts of that strategy has been reigniting Nike's innovation engine and clearing through stale inventory to make way for new styles.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Once regarded as a bright offensive mind, McDaniel’s schemes seemingly have grown stale and predictable, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has displayed poor decision-making.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Julia, Lisa, and Kiki all pull the short straw and go to Alexia and Frankie’s Beauty Bar for free manicures, half-stale prosecco, and warm sushi passed around by waitstaff that aren’t even hot.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stale
Eli Sharabi, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
One of the most important parts of that strategy has been reigniting Nike's innovation engine and clearing through stale inventory to make way for new styles.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Once regarded as a bright offensive mind, McDaniel’s schemes seemingly have grown stale and predictable, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has displayed poor decision-making.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Julia, Lisa, and Kiki all pull the short straw and go to Alexia and Frankie’s Beauty Bar for free manicures, half-stale prosecco, and warm sushi passed around by waitstaff that aren’t even hot.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stale
Adjective
-
And, actually, representative of the sport in these non-boring ’20s.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Aesha knows a thing or two about Bitcoin, despite finding it a boring topic of conversation — her fiancé, Scott, is into crypto.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
People only 21 years or older are allowed to shop at Canna Bloom.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
More pertinently, if Iroegbunam or Gueye tired or did not screen passes correctly (shown below), Rogers and Emiliano Buendia had huge spaces to receive and turn, owing to Everton’s deep centre-backs refusing to step out.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, some Republicans have spoken out against her and recently reported that some administration officials are tiring of her, suggesting her influence is not unbridled.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The first trimester was always tiring.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The story revolves around this character in ways that feel hackneyed and forced.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is actually better than some of the hackneyed rom-coms Reiner muddled through, a coming-of-age story about two kids’ pseudo-love story from grade school through middle school.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Though the song order is Easter egg intentional – as with everything Swift – it’s bookended by a declaration of romantic salvation and a narrative from the perspective of a weary, yet defiant showgirl.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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In the story, Raina is a young Bulgarian woman who must choose between her militant fiancé, Sergius, and the kind, war-weary soldier Bluntschli, who has sought out refuge in her bedroom.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The episodes feel choppy, hardly letting anything land, yet still feeling slow.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The crowd, quietening into a slow clap with the moment building, burst into a celebration.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stale. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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