Definition of jejunenext
1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word jejune distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jejune are banal, flat, inane, insipid, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When might banal be a better fit than jejune?

While the synonyms banal and jejune are close in meaning, banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

Where would flat be a reasonable alternative to jejune?

While in some cases nearly identical to jejune, 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 jejune?

The words inane and jejune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

When is insipid a more appropriate choice than jejune?

The words insipid and jejune can be used in similar contexts, but insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When would vapid be a good substitute for jejune?

In some situations, the words vapid and jejune are roughly equivalent. However, vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit.

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jejune
Adjective
  • Simply, Florida’s Pro Day was as boring as ever.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Given a list, the sorts of things Americans are comfortable with AI doing tend to be impersonal or even boring tasks, as well as those that less directly impact them, like proofreading or searching online.
    Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Those leaders who ignore or flout the law aren’t merely unethical but fatally arrogant, putting their childish willfulness over the wisdom of generations.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • However, this is a childish fantasy.
    Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The American people are not stupid and will not accept more failure theater from Republicans in Congress.
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet this widely available gourd—harvested and eaten while still immature, in fact, for ripe cucumbers are yellow and bitter—is not the entirety of the plant.
    Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Preterm and low-birth-weight babies are at higher risk than full-term babies of developing NEC, potentially because of their immature digestive systems, according to the National Institutes of Health.
    Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • When swallowing becomes difficult, eating can feel tiring or uncomfortable.
    Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
  • And adopting the mantle of cultural curmudgeon can get tiring.
    Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some of her adolescent outbursts and antics (that were so delicious to play).
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Any full-length conversation between Tua Tagovailoa and his adolescent self would, eventually, disclose details of the dark days.
    Daniel Flick - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Affecting the first two receptors means retatrutide may help suppress appetite and slow digestion, which can help users feel full after eating even smaller meals.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Long train rides and other slow travel between places offer exactly the meditative in-between space your nervous system is craving.
    Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Over a two-year period, researchers at the Shark Lab used drones to study more than two dozen beaches up and down the California coastline and found juvenile white sharks congregating at two spots in southern Santa Barbara County and central San Diego County.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The two offenders were sentenced to two years of probation and 60 hours of community service each − one hour for each victim, Judge Leonard Brown said − meaning they will not be put into a juvenile detention facility, while technically remaining under the supervision of the juvenile justice system.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Jejune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jejune. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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