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
And the same is true in more humdrum contexts. — Cody Turner, The Conversation, 1 May 2026 There’s nothing humdrum about the standard eight-speaker Bose Premium Sound System either. — New Atlas, 16 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
  • Unfortunately, the group offered amazingly little of that over the course of the night, minimizing the bells and whistles during what could be properly dubbed a fairly boring stage show overall.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In valuing and nurturing a sense of life as the adventure of understanding and demonstrating Love’s allness, what might have previously seemed to be a boring gap in activity becomes a spiritually refreshing pause.
    — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of boring
Noun
  • Delivering to his community has been an antidote for the monotony and frustration of rehab.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The headlong pacing allows nary a breather, though there are enough wry notes, character quirks and offbeat details (remote-control doors, goats, a knife fight on a waterbed) to prevent macho monotony from setting in.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of monotony
Adjective
  • Everything seems tiring and exhausting, especially the simplest, most mundane activities.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 26 July 2026
  • Clothing that handles part of the pulling and positioning could make mornings less tiring.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of tiring
Noun
  • Here are three of those habits, and why the boredom is doing the work.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Let’s let go of the self-identification with boredom or over-stimulation claiming to overshadow our path to progress.
    — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of boredom
Adjective
  • Moreover, in a study of 29 users of Melanotan II published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, some users reported their skin turning a dull gray color.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Still, her stellar performance can’t elevate the series beyond its dull monotony.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of dull
Noun
  • Bret is played by Igby Rigney, whose distant, sneery monotone recalls the voice of the real-life Ellis.
    — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 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
  • Researchers used the device to process time-series data, including signals that contained both rapid and slow changes.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026
  • However, there is another, slower and more insidious evacuation taking place, and that is the steady migration from rural areas all around the world to burgeoning cities, which now host more than half the world’s population.
    — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Democrats are pressing for a House ethics probe and weighing new investments behind union ironworker Brian Poindexter, betting scandal-weary voters in Trump-friendly northeast Ohio may be ready for change.
    — Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The latest data suggests that the path to relief for inflation-weary Americans remains uncertain.
    — Brandy Hadley, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of weary

Browse Nearby Words

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 11 Aug. 2026.

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