as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the characterizations are good, but the plot is just ho-hum
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ho-hum
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
That said, the Huskies’ sixth championship managed to out-deliver the similarly ho-hum UConn-San Diego State broadcast from the previous year by some 133,000 impressions.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Depending on whether the context is stable (everyday ho hum) or unstable (e.g., COVID-19; tariff wars; geopolitical instability etc.), the cues that get signalled and the way leaders signal these messages change.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Adjective
But after a contentious start, the game morphed into just another ho-hum Warriors loss, this time by a score of 115-101.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
That said, the Huskies’ sixth championship managed to out-deliver the similarly ho-hum UConn-San Diego State broadcast from the previous year by some 133,000 impressions.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Interjection
The distinction between being unique and ho hum is as thin as the crust.
—Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Depending on whether the context is stable (everyday ho hum) or unstable (e.g., COVID-19; tariff wars; geopolitical instability etc.), the cues that get signalled and the way leaders signal these messages change.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho-hum
Adjective
-
An exhausting, preachy, frankly, boring and outdated version of his former self.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Let’s be honest here, and no disrespect to venerable family board games, but Monopoly is kind of boring.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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But so far, progress has been slow — if not nonexistent.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army has been engaged in a slow, hard slog in Ukraine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Flimsy nozzles crack and leak, and heavy-duty nozzles get tiring to hold when your garden calls for more watering time than your hands can handle.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Swift herself talked about how tiring the tour was and what her plans for the future were last October on BBC Radio 1 with Greg James.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Best gentle shampoo for colored hair This award-winning shampoo and conditioner duo is made with organic rose oil and peaches, which revive dull or fading color.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
The Noni Glow Face Oil is Miranda’s favorite, a lightweight yet powerful face oil formulated to help visibly nourish, brighten and smooth dry or dull skin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran — theyr’e not stupid.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
That was celebrated by the lefties as liberation, or something stupid like that.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Interjection
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The new iPad Pro marks the point midway between the way things were (Bezel? Yuck!) and the way they soon will be (Nothing but screen.—
David Pierce,
WIRED,
12 June 2017
Adjective
-
Nevertheless, fashion is still top of mind for inflation-weary customers.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
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Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Senior second baseman Alexis Richter has learned a lot about playing softball from her three older sisters.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The 73-year-old Weinstein kept his eyes trained on Mann throughout her Tuesday testimony, intermittently whispering to his attorney, Teny Geragos.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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