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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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
  • Some people assume that longtime married couples are boring, but my husband has never bored me.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
  • Spectators perceive tennis outfits as plain, boring, rigid or limited to a specific silhouette.
    Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Yolanda’s wake left hundreds of orphans, but even those like Ubaldo whose family had survived had their childish innocence ripped away.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025
  • The top is tufted, and the slightly pleated skirt gives it just enough charm without treading into childish territory.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Camp, stupid, joyful—to both own and access—Labubu has taken over.
    Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 31 May 2025
  • This is just stupid how successful this is, but that’s really underselling it.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Manipulative or emotionally immature individuals end up exploiting this belief with ease.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Nikki, who can be messy and loud and immature, doesn’t always handle that intensity with grace.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • These guys have been touring for decades, never tiring of playing the hits even while steadily putting out albums full of new material.
    Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 2 June 2025
  • Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle sustains this tiring play style by deploying a 10-man rotation, allowing his players to stay fresh throughout high-intensity games.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nothing rings more true than the trope of the restless adolescent.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Dilly Dally, an adolescent loggerhead, first arrived at the LMC back in January after being attacked by a predator.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Strain into a highball glass, while simultaneously adding the club soda together in one slow stream to achieve the fluffy, towering fizz.
    Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • And while the Canadian industry made early gains to close a gender gap in the film and TV industry, making strides in advancing and promoting talent from underrepresented Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities has been slower and more incremental.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • From working in the kitchen at juvenile detention to enrolling in culinary school between prison stints, Carter knew his passion could become his purpose.
    Kizzy Cox, Essence, 4 June 2025
  • Bean, 84, has been superintendent of the juvenile detention center since 1972.
    Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 2 June 2025
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 17 Jun. 2025.

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