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lackluster 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lacklusternext
as in dulled
not having brightness, brilliance, or vitality a lackluster, dingy Main Street a lackluster performance His writing can be lackluster at times.

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lackluster

2 of 2

noun

as in grayness

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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 lackluster
Adjective
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon Cisco’s stock price The company issued strong guidance for its FY2027 during its last earnings call in August, but shares sank as it was met with a lackluster reception from analysts. — Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026 Defense answers the call early During the week, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes praised the overall play of his defense, but wanted to see the unit start much faster after lackluster starts against Grambling State and North Carolina. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026 Kip Dellinger Santa Monica The type of play by the Chargers on Sunday was completely unacceptable, lackluster and disappointing for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Yang’s appointment comes as European luxury brands weather a lackluster retail climate in China, where Givenchy operates 17 brick-and-mortar locations. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lackluster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lackluster
  1. dull
  2. grayness
  3. murky
  4. paleness
  5. dark
  6. colorlessness
  7. somber
  8. murkiness
Adjective
  • Gently Scrape It Off Once the wax has fully hardened, use a dull tool, like as a butter knife or hard plastic spatula, to gently lift it off the fabric.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • No stranger to the brand’s lineup (hey, Ginseng Essence Water and Revive Serum), ginseng is a key ingredient in this formula, helping to brighten dull skin, boost circulation, and provide all the calming vibes.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of dull
Noun
  • The pallid grayness of Mike Eley’s cinematography is probably supposed to mimic the finality of HIV/AIDS taking hold, but there’s no passion aesthetically to counterbalance what becomes absolute misery onscreen to watch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Shraya seems to find comfort within this grayness, and in the autonomy that comes from shifting the question from who is good and who is bad to who is good for me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of grayness
Adjective
  • Light takes on an ethereal glow and colors blend into murky browns and blacks.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
  • But that failed, too, leaving a murky path for Henderson, whose cancer was so rare the World Health Organization had only given it a name in 2021.
    — Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of murky
Noun
  • Some of the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia include fatigue, weakness and paleness.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, paleness, and a rapid heart rate.
    — Peter Pressman, Verywell Health, 9 Dec. 2025
Definition of paleness
Adjective
  • For serious gear collectors tired of pocket clutter and dark backpack voids, this clever mobile workstation is a genuinely smart, highly functional evolution.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Nothing hits quite like a pair of $39 Levi’s jeans, and this perfectly stretchy, dark-wash option is just what the doctor ordered.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Rising demand for low-iron, seamless glass In the past few decades, low-iron glass, known for its colorlessness, has become the contemporary symbol of high-end architecture.
    — Aki Ishida, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of colorlessness
Adjective
  • Many social media users suggested Pearman may have missed the point of the somber experience of visiting a living memorial where one of history’s greatest atrocities occurred.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • On Thursday, members of The Times editorial staff gathered to celebrate Swed, but the mood was somewhat somber.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of somber
Noun
  • But the murkiness doesn’t last long in a production that achieves an admirable balance between objectivity and emotion, abstraction and representation.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Because of the legal murkiness, Pratte urges people to talk to an attorney before foregoing registration.
    — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of murkiness

Browse Nearby Words

lacking
lackluster
lacks
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Cite this Entry

“Lackluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lackluster. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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