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

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 jejune Her phrasing wrested maximum meaning from words such that an ordinarily jejune tune now resonated as some aural pipeline to the soul itself. — Colin Fleming, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jejune
Adjective
  • Harrison’s sociological portrait is attuned to the common idea that disaster can quickly become boring—or all too quickly assimilated and ignored.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
  • No one is going to notice a boring man in chunky acetate frames.
    — Tyler Watamanuk, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet my first response was a childish pride that Dad had been deemed important enough to attract Hoover’s attention.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • There has always been a childish aspect to him — in a good way — and his curiosity hasn’t dimmed even as his age has advanced.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Using a touch screen even makes sense for limited interaction by digital content editors of all stripes, but reaching across the keyboard a lot is tiring, as with any touch laptop.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Forget your previous experience—many of us think that exercise should be tiring and painful to work.
    — Laura Solla, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The immature eccentric initially has no plans to head back to the States, until Christy convinces him to stand tall and fight.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Mestre sees opportunities to finance manufacturing expansion and consolidate Europe's fragmented defense supply chain, and considers the rapidly evolving drone market too immature for Weinberg's traditional buyout strategy.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • That new development was in conjunction with head coach and top coordinator salaries that went from stupid to offensive.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • In the end, that was stupid, because these things were actually trapped.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • It was used in the 1820 Missouri Compromise to establish the limits of human bondage in the still adolescent United States and became synonymous with the fundamental divisions that exploded into the Civil War four decades later.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Ile began her career as an adolescent, singing backup vocals for Calle 13, the band started by her brothers, Residente and Visitante (René Pérez Joglar and Eduardo Cabra Martínez).
    — Helena Alonso Paisley, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Increasingly, there are elevated places to stay that preserve the soul of this place, opening in a slow trickle like Valbona Resort and Spa (2024) and SeSam Villas in Theth (2025).
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The Bears jumped out to a 9-2 lead as USC was slow getting going offensively and committed three quick turnovers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Not the first time This week, police said another 15-year-old, who is a repeat juvenile offender, carjacked someone at a gas station in the 2300-block of Harford Road.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This is a musical in a very mainstream pop mode of supple but almost juvenile high voices singing banal lyrics to catchy melodies with rather bombastic production.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Jejune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jejune. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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