BANAL Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

banal

adjective

bə-ˈnal

Definition of banal

as in boring

lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character unlike their early work, the band's latest offering is banal and uninspiring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stereotyped

used or heard so often as to be dull please find new ways of phrasing your thoughts instead of relying on banal expressions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Artificial intelligence arrived on campus as a crisis but has since become banal. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 This was no gangsta rap Nuremberg, but rather something closer to the trial of Adolf Eichmann — a case tried decades later in which the aging defendant wasn’t the actual killer but a banal middleman, a functionary and a lethal node of transport. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 The pursuit of fame for fame’s sake has become an almost banal pursuit in the attention economy. — Julianna Pillemer, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 The YouTube upload was, Ritchie noted, a typically sample-heavy affair from the Brooklyn collective; a banal but reasonable assumption is that the confusing circumstances of the new release result from simple sample clearance issues. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for banal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for banal

Adjective

Some have complained that Becerra is an unworthy, boring torchbearer for Latinos — not dynamic enough to meet a moment where many hoped for a firebrand.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Sure, this may sound kind of boring, but the city in the southern Guangdong province has also just been named as the country's leader in wealthy entrepreneurs and is the beating heart of China's AI and tech industry.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of boring

Adjective

Despite their outer appearances and oftentimes stereotyped personalities, the ladies embrace each other’s depths and contradictions.

— Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026
This is a directed, stereotyped behavior in which the highest-resolution region of the somatosensory surface is brought to bear on the object requiring the most detailed analysis.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of stereotyped

Adjective

But the end result has avoided the bland fate suffered by the recent Range Rover GT concept, for example.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026
Instead of sharing talking points or bland DNC messaging, the national party’s communications team decided to simply share clips and let the creators decide whether or how to use them.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of bland

Adjective

People are sick and tired of attack ads, robocalls and misinformation.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
Doncic had 32 points and 10 assists in a 124-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks as the Lakers relied on their depth to secure their sixth consecutive win and stay atop the Western Conference despite a short, tired bench.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of tired

Adjective

In the meantime, there’s a lot of unwieldy comic commotion involving a missing corpse, a tweaking, naked Dwight and enough insipid TV sibling bickering to clog the airwaves for a decade.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Otherwise, the defence failed to defend, the midfield got overrun and the attack was so insipid that Wrexham managed just one shot on target — George Dobson’s 35th-minute effort that Konstantinos Mavropanos blocked just in front of the goal line.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of insipid

Adjective

National mechanisms for transferring money built around bills of exchange (akin to paper checks) became commonplace.

— Terry Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2026
Poor sightlines are much more commonplace as owners relocate the media to accommodate new VIP clubs and pricier seats.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of commonplace

Adjective

Just like many of his neighbors, the sound of the Delciello’s bell sent Carmody scrambling to round up tools and knives that needed their dull blades refreshed.

— Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Spend your peak time on low-value work, and your axe will be dull for everything that counts.

— Jeremy Macliver, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of dull

Adjective

The hackneyed ruminations on feminine style are punctured by an image of violent female rage.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
There’s some hackneyed dialogue, much of it borne by Neeson, who despite his prominence in advertising gets sidelined for most of the running time.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of hackneyed

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“Banal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banal. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of banal

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