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
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
-
As a means of conspicuous consumption the canon is poorly served, but as a destination to explore, as a complicated, contradictory, sometimes boring and often beautiful place, there can be much to be gained through a meander, a perusal, a stroll.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
-
There are a lot of small, sincere plays that are also very boring.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Scratching high on the bridge, Werner’s splintering fiddle calls to mind the slow, magical hatching of an egg.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
-
The better play is slower and pays back forever.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Eventually, after tiring of The Duchess & I, The Duchess & Me and other similar names, the filmmakers decided to go with My Duchess.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
-
Traveling with a heavy bag can make any journey feel longer and more tiring.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The world of college football is rarely dull.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
This charger brings interactivity and enthusiasm to this process that has been viewed as so dull for so long.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Directed by Nicolas Athane and Marco Nguyen, Jim Queen is a crass, profane, giddily stupid romp through a heap of stereotypes about gay life in Paris.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
For the record, those students are not stupid.—
Hope Loudon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
Interjection
-
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
-
Mexican officials stay unusually quiet about the mission, while weary Havana residents greet the ship with cautious hope that scarce aid will reach children, seniors and the most vulnerable.—
Ariel Fernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Sultry brass and piano spill all over the record, giving the whole affair a weary, second-side-of-Tattoo You vibe.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
One prompted stories of an old cowboy sitting alone on a porch, surveying a ghost town; another prompted stories about a sun rising over a meadow, where tiny creatures awakened and started to frolic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Instead of looking frumpy in an old T-shirt, look polished and refined in this shirt that won’t constrict your movements.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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