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
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Following a 2-0 setback at Detroit on the evening of January 25, the Tampa Bay Lightning sported a 26-19-3 mark that was good for 55 points and a rather ho-hum .541 points percentage.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Moreover, on a day-to-day basis, not just month-to-month, record lows are almost becoming, well, ho hum.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Adjective
Will the changes rewrite the ho-hum narrative surrounding superhero blockbusters?
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Following a 2-0 setback at Detroit on the evening of January 25, the Tampa Bay Lightning sported a 26-19-3 mark that was good for 55 points and a rather ho-hum .541 points percentage.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Interjection
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
Moreover, on a day-to-day basis, not just month-to-month, record lows are almost becoming, well, ho hum.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho-hum
Adjective
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Belief that your institution is exempt from the hard, functional and often boring parts of the job leads to a slow decline.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Organizations that foster a culture of self-compassion can empower their employees to better navigate stress, maintain their well-being, and - perhaps boring but no less important - adhere to safety protocols.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Interjection
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Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.—
Linda McIntosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2024
Adjective
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Despite the retirement of highly successful Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, the transition to Vulcan has been slow and continues to impact the completion of Space Force mission objectives.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
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Here in Croatia, the pace of life is slower, especially in smaller towns.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Of course, all that excitement does get tiring after a while, and the dogs in side B eventually wind down for a brief nap.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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At-home blowouts are hard; even when armed with the right tutorials and top-of-the-line tools, all the maneuvering gets tiring quickly.—
Kylee McGuigan,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The bittersweet result didn’t dull a remarkable career and legacy for Kelly.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
31 May 2025
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But the drama can be very stolid, borderline dull at times.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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This is just stupid how successful this is, but that’s really underselling it.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
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Camp, stupid, joyful—to both own and access—Labubu has taken over.—
Lara Johnson-Wheeler,
Vogue,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Santa Monica residents go to war against Waymo There’s a battle brewing in Santa Monica with a fleet of unmanned, electric Waymo vehicles on one side, and exhausted, weary locals on the other.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
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Reed thin and blonde, with the slouch of a weary royal, Kjær spent Tuesday afternoon directing his troops: five amateur dancers, recruited from clubs, who will perform at an opening on Saturday in a piece modeled on the firework displays at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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Part of it is intentional — this is an adaptation inspired by the sirens of Greek mythology, which is a tale as old as time.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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