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Synonym Chooser

How is the word banal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of banal are flat, inane, insipid, jejune, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

When might flat be a better fit than banal?

The synonyms flat and banal are sometimes interchangeable, but flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest.

although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flat

In what contexts can inane take the place of banal?

Although the words inane and banal have much in common, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

When is insipid a more appropriate choice than banal?

While in some cases nearly identical to banal, insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When is it sensible to use jejune instead of banal?

While the synonyms jejune and banal are close in meaning, jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When would vapid be a good substitute for banal?

The words vapid and banal can be used in similar contexts, but vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit.

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

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 banal The movie surrounding it, however, seems determined to make the extraordinary seem as bumper-sticker simple and banal as humanly possible. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025 But lawmakers and the nonpartisan office that advises them have taken issue with the timing of the seemingly banal change. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025 Within the art world, this kind of conceptualization might risk being discounted as an almost banal insight, and some in the industry have viewed the broad palatability of Mr. Price’s work as a factor in his commercial success. Andrew Keh, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Concrete examples are far more compelling than banal buzzwords. William Arruda, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for banal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banal
Adjective
  • This is worlds away from that boring deli chicken sandwich, while still being easy enough to whip up on the busiest of days.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • The contract’s scope of work includes the single bore tunnel, station entrances and exits, the excavation of underground stations and the procurement of a tunnel boring machine.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Listen to one after another, though, and the bland muddiness exposes them as a machine creation.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
  • Recent coverage on Forbes warns that overuse of AI in newsrooms could lead to bland, unoriginal content that erodes trust.
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Amidst their insipid competition to win Harris’ favor, the three daughters lament that none of them will ever truly be their father’s favorite, as that title belongs to the daughter who never grew up: the actual youngest Sinclair daughter, Rosemary.
    Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • Brazil were insipid at last summer’s Copa America and have gone downhill since.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Mowing Lawns Homeowners are usually away on vacation or are probably too tired to maintain their yards.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • But, in Dick’s opinion, Charlie grew tired of baseball’s daily grind.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • And what often emerges instead is a dull kind of numbness, chronic irritability or total withdrawal.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Commercial or bulk matcha is often a dull yellowish or brown color, coarse in texture, and noticeably bitter.
    Devorah Lev-Tov, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Cross-promotional deals and product tie-ins have become commonplace in the past two decades, and gotten mainstream recognition for movies like Barbie and Wicked.
    Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Over the past few decades, such affective polarization in the U.S. has become commonplace.
    James L. Gibson, The Conversation, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Seeing that expansion and contraction over and over for six episodes (let alone three seasons) can grow tiring, and Season 3 certainly suffers from a sense of exhaustion.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
  • Now in his 80s trips to the islands are more challenging, and maintaining a boat that can make the journey is expensive and tiring.
    Kathleen Rellihan, Outside Online, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Banal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banal. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on banal

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