humdrum 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhəm-ˌdrəm How to pronounce humdrum (audio)
Definition of humdrumnext
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

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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
There’s nothing humdrum about the standard eight-speaker Bose Premium Sound System either. — New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026 Get the recipe > Transform humdrum cherry or grape tomatoes into flavor bombs by cooking them low and slow in the oven with maple syrup, thyme, and garlic. — Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Some genuinely funny moments emerge from the collision of Hollywood humdrum and superhero absurdity, as if The Studio had been folded lightly into the MCU, a sensibility that reflects Guest’s comedy pedigree on Community and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026 There may be an alchemy of inspiration, but writing itself is done in the humdrum of deleting a sentence or rearranging a line, of careful research and editing. — Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humdrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humdrum
  1. boring
  2. monotony
  3. tiring
  4. boredom
  5. dull
  6. monotone
  7. slow
  8. weary
Adjective
  • The couple just stole $10 million — a theft consequential enough to set the entire story in motion, yet also too boring to depict outside a brief flashback?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • The boring games are usually like watching paint dry and their very dedicated fans are only there for the massive parties.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of boring
Noun
  • Della Valle told Chavez that keeping himself busy, in whatever constructive ways possible, was the only way to make it through the monotony with his sanity intact.
    — Mica Rosenberg, ProPublica, 6 July 2026
  • These cowboy songs were meant to soothe restless cattle during the night or break the monotony of isolation.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of monotony
Adjective
  • The 90 minutes or more will be highly physical and tiring, and only one will remain standing at the end.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of tiring
Noun
  • Rich might have been afraid of putting too much explanatory weight on a writer’s existential boredom (or horniness).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • The discomfort of boredom often becomes the spark for curiosity, creativity, independence and discovering lifelong interests.
    — Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 16 July 2026
Definition of boredom
Adjective
  • As Vanity Fair’s Chris Smith wrote in his May bombshell profile of LSU’s firestarter head football coach, The Lane Kiffin Show is never dull.
    — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
  • Photography Cookbooks and diet books tend to be dull without any photos.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Definition of dull
Noun
  • Red Beard spoke in a low, electric monotone.
    — Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 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
  • After the shooting, the victim’s car was seen on surveillance footage driving in slow circles as federal agents appeared to try and stop the vehicle.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Thus far, capital markets more broadly have been slow to respond to this threat for a variety of reasons.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 18 July 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • American trade associations, too, found fault with the duty hike, both because of its regressive impact on diversification efforts and its potential impact on inflation-weary American consumers.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
  • There’s something thrilling about standing on the battleground that led to a turning point in the American Civil War, or imagining Abraham Lincoln delivering his famous Gettysburg Address to war-weary soldiers.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
Definition of weary

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humdingers
humdrum
humid
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Cite this Entry

“Humdrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humdrum. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of humdrum for Spanish Speakers

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