as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the characterizations are good, but the plot is just ho-hum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ho-hum
Jocelyn Noveck, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
The January jobs report is due out next Friday, with analysts forecasting another ho-hum 50,000 job gains.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 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 conversely, O’Hara, who died late last week at 71, could make a ho-hum phrase utterly hilarious.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
The January jobs report is due out next Friday, with analysts forecasting another ho-hum 50,000 job gains.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 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
-
The rooms Forget boring beiges and personality-less whites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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This is a boring line of logic to keep hammering as the season drags on.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This chaged profile results in improved satiety and a slower blood sugar spike.—
Jahnavi Rapaka,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2026
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That alone would create a challenging year for water managers, who rely on slow and steady snowmelt to feed streams, rivers and reservoirs and meet spring and summer demand for irrigation and drinking water.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And adopting the mantle of cultural curmudgeon can get tiring.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
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Riko Ueki headed Japan's opening goal, her fourth of the tournament, before Maika Hamano, Aoba Fujino and Kiko Seike all scored against a tiring Vietnamese defense.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The employees of Rockin’ Grandma’s roam the grounds of the retreat site, which boasts multiple structures, and are visited by a series of guest speakers whose lectures range from the merely dull to the truly Dada.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Charvet’s ethos is about discretion, but the clothes are not dull.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
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
-
The public grew weary and confused.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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There’s a hot tub outside as well as a compact indoor sauna (top-notch for soothing weary muscles).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have another qualifying disability.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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This is how friends and family described 18-year-old Park Hill High School senior Tessa Walker, who was killed in a fiery crash in rural Platte County early Sunday morning.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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