HUMDRUM Synonyms: 187 Similar and Opposite Words

humdrum 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhəm-ˌdrəm

Definition of humdrum

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest she leads a humdrum life that will never be made into a major motion picture a humdrum meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

humdrum

2 of 2

noun

as in monotony

a tedious lack of variety loathed the humdrum of daily life in a small town

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 humdrum

Adjective

Keep a jar of this Parmesan-herb vinaigrette in your fridge for salads or to make a humdrum turkey or salami sandwich taste like one from your neighborhood deli. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 26 June 2026 Occasionally, Profound plays like the soundtrack for a humdrum indie-comedy set in a beautiful, remote location. — Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026

Noun

Many, however, grapple with large issues but lift off soon into comedy or fantasy, often departing from a humdrum – to take the title of Patricia Kelly’s project – reality, whether the work of a court transcriber, middle-aged suburbs, a church in South Africa or a new train route project. — John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026 An avid field recordist, Kamaru has spoken of running his documentations of his surroundings—buses and bustling markets in Nairobi, sirens and birdsong in Berlin—through various types of digital processing, stretching and mulching and interweaving them with synths until the humdrum becomes musical. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humdrum

Recent Examples of Synonyms for humdrum

Adjective

Some have complained that Becerra is an unworthy, boring torchbearer for Latinos — not dynamic enough to meet a moment where many hoped for a firebrand.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Sure, this may sound kind of boring, but the city in the southern Guangdong province has also just been named as the country's leader in wealthy entrepreneurs and is the beating heart of China's AI and tech industry.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of boring

Adjective

Using a touch screen even makes sense for limited interaction by digital content editors of all stripes, but reaching across the keyboard a lot is tiring, as with any touch laptop.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Forget your previous experience—many of us think that exercise should be tiring and painful to work.

— Laura Solla, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of tiring

Noun

But this is potentially generative boredom, the kind that might induce a trance or, at its most transcendent, a divine encounter.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Survey findings About 28% of Gaston respondents reported moderate or higher levels of negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger or boredom, compared with roughly 10% in Union, Venkitasubramanian said.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of boredom

Adjective

Just like many of his neighbors, the sound of the Delciello’s bell sent Carmody scrambling to round up tools and knives that needed their dull blades refreshed.

— Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Spend your peak time on low-value work, and your axe will be dull for everything that counts.

— Jeremy Macliver, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of dull

Noun

In a courtroom scene, a judge races through a ruling that favors the authorities, reading it in a nearly unintelligible monotone.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Monochrome styling is having its moment, but sticking to one color scheme doesn’t have to read monotone.

— Staff Author, InStyle, 19 June 2026

Definition of monotone

Adjective

Stuttering drum patterns and elastic basslines rub up against glossy keyboards and slow piano chords, blending early 2000s sounds with the futuristic sensuality of Kelela.

— Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
On the earnings growth front, while emerging markets on average are expected to deliver a 45% improvement, India's forecast is much slower at 11%, as per Bernstein.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of slow

Adjective

All of the supporting characters are shrewdly cast and realized, whether Aiello’s nervous but persistent promoter or the superb Meredith’s weary, knowing cornerman.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
But rather than spread panic, the fake messages appear to have had little impact on war-weary civilians – and instead began to generate some imaginative memes.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of weary

Browse Nearby Words

humdingers

humdrum

humid

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Style

“Humdrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humdrum. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of humdrum

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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