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
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
These plants have long been a landscape staple, especially as an evergreen foundation plant, to the point where they were seen as pedestrian and a little ho-hum.
—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 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
Behr’s French Beige Beige homes often get a ho-hum reputation, but cloaked in Behr’s French Beige, your exterior sidesteps those stereotypes entirely, our experts say.
—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
These plants have long been a landscape staple, especially as an evergreen foundation plant, to the point where they were seen as pedestrian and a little ho-hum.
—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 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
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Sometimes safe and boring can be a winning strategy.
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The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.
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.
Adjective
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The Virgo moon invites you to take a slower pace today.
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The Targaryen civil war has been a bit of a slow burn so far, though both sides of the family have suffered major casualties.
Adjective
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This method is particularly useful for larger homes, hallways, and staircases where kneeling repeatedly would quickly become cumbersome or tiring.
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The longtime Florida coach swapped a tiring McDonald for Russell Sandefer with one out in the top of the sixth inning.
Adjective
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Agathe finds her boss’s remarks dull, but more or less shares these views.
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Dish soap strips away the protective wax and can actually dull or damage the paint over time, leaving it more vulnerable to scratches and fading.
Adjective
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But even the most perfect Constitution can be undone by the wicked with the help of the bought, the stupid, and the cowardly.
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White can believe Hokit said something stupid and still believe fighters should be allowed to speak for themselves.
Adjective
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Wall Street will be watching to see if Amazon can further cement itself as consumers' to-go destination for everyday essentials at a time when inflation-weary shoppers are focused on value.
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For our weary eyeballs, strained and tired from long periods locked onto screens, rest and relaxation can do wonders.
Adjective
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On Tuesday night, the New York Post reported that the woman had been identified as Angie Baez, a 40-year-old financial industry executive.
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As for 29-year-old Greenway notched six points in 40 games with the Sabres last season and scored three points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Buffalo during the 2025-26 campaign.
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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