HO-HUM Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

ho-hum 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhō-ˈhəm

Definition of ho-hum

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

ho hum

2 of 2

interjection

as in boo

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ho-hum

Adjective

This still might be a relatively quick series if New York can wrap things up in Saturday’s Game 5, but it can no longer be considered ho-hum. — Bob Harkins, New York Times, 11 June 2026 Where pre-2020 San Jose might have seen packed lunch spots and ho-hum nightlife, that cycle has now flipped. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

Interjection

Scottie Scheffler, ho hum The world’s best golfer won The American Express yesterday in his first start of the year, which is both astounding and unsurprising. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 The distinction between being unique and ho hum is as thin as the crust. — Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ho-hum

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho-hum

Adjective

Jasmine[‘s character] has a husband, a daughter, a boring life sometimes.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
These recipes for muffins, snack mix, energy balls and more are proof that eating better doesn’t have to be boring, regardless of age.

— Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of boring

Interjection

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
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

Definition of boo

Interjection

Those two characters served as the yin and yang for the early MCU — Stark the brash, rakish genius; Cap the stalwart, aw shucks warrior — that became the franchise’s gravitational center.

— Adam B. Vary, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024
That’s what’s got everybody’s eyes rolling, her aw shucks/ohmygod!

— Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 7 July 2023

Definition of shucks

Adjective

Soreness began settling in, and Mincey taught us a technique for safely walking on locked knees to spare our tiring muscles, which got us through the steep and gravelly hike.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
But keeping that up can be a tiring proposition once a Grand Slam rolls around.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tiring

Adjective

Coach Sean McVay’s strategy of arriving the day before the game backfired and resulted in a dull performance by a team featuring some of the NFL’s biggest stars.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
If Khrzhanovsky’s goal was re-creating social and cultural conditions to capture drama at its purest, then the result merely proves Hitchcock’s refrain that drama is life with dull bits cut out.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of dull

Adjective

But the image that emerges here is of an already war-weary, fragile and poor country being pushed ever closer to a breaking point.

— Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
In war-weary Lebanon, Israeli strikes have intensified in response to Hezbollah drone attacks.

— Suzan Haidamous, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of weary

Browse Nearby Words

hog wild

ho-hum

ho hum

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ho-hum

adjective

interjection

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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