as in boredom
the state of being bored
the kind of ennui that comes from having too much time on one's hands and too little will to find something productive to do
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 ennui
The film appears to be made by and for the kinds of people who might find themselves in a similar state of cozy ennui.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
This is a show heavily interested in the way paranoia turns us all into weapons of mass destruction in our communities, especially when everyone’s looking to escape the ennui of their small-town blues.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Han has used centuries of philosophy to deconstruct the current ennui of life online, but Pettman’s writing is more personal and sympathetic than Han’s aphoristic, self-effacing mode.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
But his best moments ditch the ennui and open up.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ennui
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
This is a show heavily interested in the way paranoia turns us all into weapons of mass destruction in our communities, especially when everyone’s looking to escape the ennui of their small-town blues.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Han has used centuries of philosophy to deconstruct the current ennui of life online, but Pettman’s writing is more personal and sympathetic than Han’s aphoristic, self-effacing mode.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
But his best moments ditch the ennui and open up.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ennui
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ennui
boredom
Noun
-
Recently married to a promising academic yet already a frustrated wife, prone to boredom and depression?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Hunting the lockdown phase of the rut means hour upon hour of boredom interrupted by moments of pure chaos.—
Will Brantley,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ennui.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ennui. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share