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
-
Far fewer people stay responsible when the work turns boring, unclear or inconvenient, and that's precisely when ownership surfaces.
-
Monocultures can be boring, but on the flipside, a huge collection of individual species looks like a busy bowl of potpourri.
Adjective
-
The electric blue shade adds such a fun pop of color to a summer wardrobe, instantly brightening up basics like white jeans, denim shorts, or neutral trousers.
-
And perhaps most importantly, hempcrete can be carbon neutral or even carbon negative, depending on its composition.
Adjective
-
The light blue Jadaron is currently $627 on Manolo Blahnik’s website, as is the beige suede version.
-
The shiny designer puffer with the beige logo'd patch on the sleeve.
Adjective
-
On a nondescript street in Hackensack, New Jersey, inside a low-slung, former industrial complex, there’s a place that will—literally—change your perspective on perfume.
-
Despite the colorful appearance of the caterpillar, the adult moth is a nondescript brown.
Adjective
-
The pieces are abstract but appear to show featureless human figures sitting atop globular, cloud-like shapes that float in the air.
-
So is the moment early in the film when Mary mournfully looks on as her long-ago home faces demolition to make room for a big, featureless residential complex.
Cite this Entry
“Vanilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanilla. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
