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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  • Crank up some music and have a dance party during an otherwise boring moment.
    Margery D. Rosen, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026
  • At this point, the UConn-dominance-is-boring crowd has had years to debate during the reigns of several incredible players.
    Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • By the second half of the twentieth century, media depictions of bicycles often showed them as something exclusively for children, or for odd, childish adults.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2026
  • That would be childish as hell.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • End these stupid, senseless wars.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Most of the films that came after are ridiculous and stupid.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • 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, 4 Mar. 2026
  • When the eggs hatch, the immature stages start feeding.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But this relief rally may be tiring for now and the optimal reward seems skewed to the downside.
    Jay Woods, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Flying can be tiring, but apparently not as tiring as seeing passengers in pajamas – at least according to one airport.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For those who perhaps find Euphoria a touch too harrowing (or exaggerated) to watch, Skins provides a perfect middle-ground with more authentic adolescent experiences that still flirt with darkness.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Early, who wrote and directed, also stars as the title character, Maddie Ralph, a food influencer who is secretly struggling with the return of an adolescent eating disorder.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Council members LaWana Slack-Mayfield, Malcolm Graham and Joi Mayo, whose west Charlotte District 3 contains most of the affected part of I-77, pressed the agency on its slow responses to their questions, asked in November, shortly after NCDOT released its maps for the first time.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The jokes and musical bits are amusing but not groundbreaking, and the story is too light and slow to have a real impact.
    Rachel Simon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Official charges come after two students were arrested and two were given juvenile citations, according to a police department spokesman.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2026
  • He was taken to a juvenile assessment center.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 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 12 Mar. 2026.

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