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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ho hum
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
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025
The set, which includes pillowcases, sheets, and a duvet cover, is a striking addition that will wake up even the most ho-hum bedscape.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ho hum
Adjective
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
Interjection
Stroud had a nice second year, but didn’t challenge the elite tier at the position and his Texans had a relatively ho-hum season, finishing with the same record and another divisional round loss.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025
The set, which includes pillowcases, sheets, and a duvet cover, is a striking addition that will wake up even the most ho-hum bedscape.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ho hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho hum
Adjective
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And, actually, representative of the sport in these non-boring ’20s.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Aesha knows a thing or two about Bitcoin, despite finding it a boring topic of conversation — her fiancé, Scott, is into crypto.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The episodes feel choppy, hardly letting anything land, yet still feeling slow.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
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The crowd, quietening into a slow clap with the moment building, burst into a celebration.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The first trimester was always tiring.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The track opens with a provocative guitar riff, setting the stage for a fierce jungle hunt rather than a dull cat-and-mouse game.—
Billboard China,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
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So much noise, apparently, that Yankees management is pressuring Ticketmaster to keep Sox fans down to a dull roar.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The name-calling and the stupid AI and the imagery has got to stop.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
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These kids are being stupid and absurd and reckless and not thinking about anything other than what’s directly in front of their faces.—
Will Leitch,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Though the song order is Easter egg intentional – as with everything Swift – it’s bookended by a declaration of romantic salvation and a narrative from the perspective of a weary, yet defiant showgirl.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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In the story, Raina is a young Bulgarian woman who must choose between her militant fiancé, Sergius, and the kind, war-weary soldier Bluntschli, who has sought out refuge in her bedroom.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Sep. 2025
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
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People only 21 years or older are allowed to shop at Canna Bloom.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ho hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho%20hum. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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