1
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
that's a pretty lame way to treat someone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
-
My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
7 July 2025
-
Something about this one note prompted even this pitiful creature to a risky gesture of mercy.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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In his short stint in Scranton, that number has come down a hair, but still resides at an unacceptable 29.4%.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
Mistakes should not be viewed as failures or unacceptable setbacks, but rather as calculated risks—necessary steps in the iterative journey of progress.—
Davide Sartini,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Prospect Capital is now the cheapest BDC on the market, trading at just 46% of NAV.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
-
For years, the equation seemed simple: look for the cheapest fare, even if the trip was mediocre.—
Wilson Santiago Burgos,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Spurred by climate change, Canadian wildfires have increasingly exacerbated poor air quality across Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Because the movie's central dynamic—a powerful, U.S.-backed aggressor invading a poor, largely defenseless neighbor—is all too familiar.—
Faisal Kutty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Verb
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These effects leave both adults and children highly vulnerable: even experienced swimmers can quickly be incapacitated.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
-
The blackout incapacitated banks, mobile networks, and e-government services, crippling the country’s core systems.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The restaurant violated 17 standards, including bugs inside the restaurant and dirty kitchen equipment.—
Evan Moore
July 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 July 2025
-
What to look for in a quality cat fountain Filtration system Stagnant or dirty water is dangerous to pets, especially cats with a delicate immune system.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
There is nothing wrong with having adapted in this way.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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But new research shows that the intuitive assumption that the water is mostly newly melted snow or fresh rain is dead wrong.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lame. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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