1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
that's a pretty lame way to treat someone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
the amenities at this hotel are lame; there's not even free Wi-Fi in the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to cripple
to cause severe or permanent injury to
we were afraid that the horse would be lamed by its horrible fall
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lame
Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
—Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
To put it in a different way, my life is pretty lame [laughs].
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Well, this is so lame, but I'm almost finished watching The Sopranos for the very first time ever.
—Lauren Morgan, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2022
Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
Additional accessories High-end proofing baskets can come with many other helpful accessories like scrapers, bonus lames and even instructional e-books or DVDs.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
And unlike other bread lames that don’t conceal the razor, this one opens and closes for maximum safety.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2024
The question is, then, how can two lames convince the girls to look their way?
—Vulture, 6 June 2023
Adjective
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
—Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
—Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
To put it in a different way, my life is pretty lame [laughs].
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2023
Well, this is so lame, but I'm almost finished watching The Sopranos for the very first time ever.
—Lauren Morgan, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2022
Verb
There's nothing watery, limp, or lame about an onion boil.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
Additional accessories High-end proofing baskets can come with many other helpful accessories like scrapers, bonus lames and even instructional e-books or DVDs.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
And unlike other bread lames that don’t conceal the razor, this one opens and closes for maximum safety.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Feb. 2024
The question is, then, how can two lames convince the girls to look their way?
—Vulture, 6 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lame
Adjective
-
For example, the 1890s saw the Royal Observatory hire women for the first time, who worked for a pitiful wage as 'computers' to examine and refine observational data.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
22 June 2025
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There is nothing deficient, unnatural or pitiful about being single, as we’re often led to believe.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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In April 2021, the European Commission proposed a draft of the Artificial Intelligence Act, aimed at introducing a system of AI classification based on risks to users (minimal, limited, high, unacceptable).—
Olena Orliuk,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
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Anything less is unacceptable to the Bosteros, as Boca’s fans are known.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
-
Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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These Golden Hour Savings deals bring these loafers’ price tag down to as low as $52, which is much cheaper than most leather (or vegan leather) loafers.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
26 June 2025
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However, thimerosal is more common elsewhere in the world for various multi-dose vaccine vials, which are cheaper than the single-dose vials more commonly used in the US.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Orlik, who was seventy-seven, was in poor health and desperate to get his pictures back.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
-
Despite being poor, India’s democracy thrived as its leaders managed the country’s political fortunes through open competition.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Most states require adults to appoint someone to make medical decisions, including authorizing treatment, if they become incapacitated.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
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Using a drone, state police were able to determine that both suspects were incapacitated, having suffered apparent gunshot injuries, Fusaro said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The wider sweeps are stressing the capacity of the detention system, where detainees have reported moldy food, dirty towels and no changes of clothes for more than a week at a time.—
Rachel Uranga,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
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Finally, never reuse dirty water as toddlers and pets might accidentally swallow it.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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The Verge reported a Tesla Model Y robotaxi briefly traveled the wrong way down a road in Austin.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
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Her only 'crime' seems to be coming from the 'wrong' country.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lame. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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