Synonym Chooser

How is the word insipid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of insipid are banal, flat, inane, jejune, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When is banal a more appropriate choice than insipid?

In some situations, the words banal and insipid are roughly equivalent. However, banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

When might flat be a better fit than insipid?

The words flat and insipid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest.

although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flat

In what contexts can inane take the place of insipid?

The meanings of inane and insipid largely overlap; however, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

Where would jejune be a reasonable alternative to insipid?

Although the words jejune and insipid have much in common, jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When can vapid be used instead of insipid?

The words vapid and insipid can be used in similar contexts, but vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit.

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

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 insipid Italy were insipid against the Swiss in that Euros defeat this time last year. James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Amidst their insipid competition to win Harris’ favor, the three daughters lament that none of them will ever truly be their father’s favorite, as that title belongs to the daughter who never grew up: the actual youngest Sinclair daughter, Rosemary. Alyssa Davis, People.com, 19 June 2025 Little Dog asks, an insipid comparison that illuminates only the fungibility of abstract nouns. Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025 But the insipid Premier League displays that have pushed the club to the lower reaches of the table mean there is a scarcity of belief that such an outcome will come to pass. Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insipid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insipid
Adjective
  • Much like how Hailey and Justin Bieber dress, there is something charming about opposing couple style, and allowing each other to follow their individual tastes and passions, without blending into one bland unit.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Jiang and his colleagues complain over video chat about their bland meals, but the people who produce, prepare and deliver the food remain invisible.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And, actually, representative of the sport in these non-boring ’20s.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Aesha knows a thing or two about Bitcoin, despite finding it a boring topic of conversation — her fiancé, Scott, is into crypto.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Batteries without the filter lost power quickly, while batteries with the atom-thin filter retained almost all their capacity for more than 150 charge-discharge cycles.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Even on a slightly more banal level, there’s a singular buzz to sparking off an existing song at a game.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The fact of death: what a commonplace, what a banal place to land.
    Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, some women are aggressive, tasteless and seemingly desperate.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Hooking up with your ex in high school or college is tasteless.
    Sarah John, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The track opens with a provocative guitar riff, setting the stage for a fierce jungle hunt rather than a dull cat-and-mouse game.
    Billboard China, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
  • So much noise, apparently, that Yankees management is pressuring Ticketmaster to keep Sox fans down to a dull roar.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The first trimester was always tiring.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insipid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insipid. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insipid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!