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
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
And while such mechanical underpinnings may seem ho-hum in our jaded age of hypercar performance, the 250 GT Lusso boasts a shape that remains unmatched in the history of Italian cars.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 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
Coward has maintained his ho-hum competence and effectiveness as a rookie.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
And while such mechanical underpinnings may seem ho-hum in our jaded age of hypercar performance, the 250 GT Lusso boasts a shape that remains unmatched in the history of Italian cars.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 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
-
This season has an annoying habit of taking what is an easy vote, trying to confuse us into getting excited that something interesting is going to happen, only for the easy and most boring thing to happen in the end.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The boring machine can excavate to extreme depths, according to a report.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Or maybe this was a slow roll, meant to culminate with the two All-Stars crescendoing into the playoff push.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Feed Forever Goldy® Arborvitae annually in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 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
-
The first concert starts with Ciani’s signature ocean sounds before Cunningham’s chords—dull, glassy—add an atonal sheen.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2026
-
These changes can leave your skin feeling dry, dull, and more sensitive than before.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And then the second one is grassroots and bottom up and the local solutions to this thing that is a stupid business model.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Allowing one nine years of eligibility is just stupid.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 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
-
Cobweb guitar melodies trace the room, crossing paths with spare, weary string arrangements.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The storm-weary central US will finally get a breather over the weekend because of a weather pattern change that will also usher in a temperature drop.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The rules generally wouldn't apply to children, people 65 or older, or people with disabilities or serious health issues.—
Samantha Liss,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
At Kingfisher Bar & Grill, a higher-volume restaurant with slightly older clientele, setting expectations is important.—
Jaia Clingham-David,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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