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
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
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 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 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
  • Most impressive is its capacity to achieve the perfect balance between design and sophistication, without being uptight or boring.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The game was pretty boring overall, and the Seahawks looked like the significantly better team.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of boring
Noun
  • Small changes like adding wallpaper or vintage rugs break up monotony and add warmth and personality.
    — Shagun Khare, The Spruce, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But she’s lost in boredom and monotony, caring for her husband who doesn’t love her and uses her as a servant.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of monotony
Adjective
  • But after a while, the lack of grounding gets tiring, as various supernatural shenanigans appear to be determined more by plot convenience than anything else.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The repetition can grow tiring, but that frustration is precisely the point.
    — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of tiring
Noun
  • Breaking through this boredom — especially when hosting influencers and journalists who have so often been there and done that — is perhaps easier said than done.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The level of boredom Pugh brought to Kate making her older client orgasm by squeezing his nipples really sold her approach to the work.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of boredom
Adjective
  • Saving the best for last, Reiter was certainly a bright spot on an otherwise dull episode.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • These gadgets work wonders for at-home maintenance between in-office treatments, or on their own as a pick-me-up—targeting everything from stubborn hair to dull skin.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 7 Oct. 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
  • On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In particular, he was asked about Netflix’s slower growth (2% year-over-year growth in user engagement during the first half in 2026).
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • From $4 gas and 7% mortgage rates to surging airfares, the Iran war is significantly raising the cost of living for inflation-weary consumers ahead of the midterm elections.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Popular at American Chinese or Cajun-style Chinese restaurants, the sticky-sweet chicken is the utter definition of delicious, luring weary shoppers into food courts to find refuge from the bubblegum pink sweatpants and ripped denim.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2026.

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