1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
a leaden performance of a classic American play that nearly put us to sleep
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2
as in gray
of the color gray
the leaden sky made everything seem dark and depressing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of leaden
Snow flurries are blowing at an angle, the sky is a leaden grey, and visibility is poor.
—
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
There are moments where the album’s tone skews leaden, where Shaw positions us right on the edge of despair.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
If ‘Oxen’ occupies a region of Ulysses where Joyce’s exquisite ear for memorably musical sentences (‘Mild fire of wine kindled his veins’) takes a back seat to the leaden hum of meta-literature, that is no reason not to be awed by his chutzpah.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, through its first four episodes, The Copenhagen Test is also a wonderful sleep aid — a whole lot of leaden dialogue and convoluted plotting, with very little intensity or momentum.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaden
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
There are moments where the album’s tone skews leaden, where Shaw positions us right on the edge of despair.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
If ‘Oxen’ occupies a region of Ulysses where Joyce’s exquisite ear for memorably musical sentences (‘Mild fire of wine kindled his veins’) takes a back seat to the leaden hum of meta-literature, that is no reason not to be awed by his chutzpah.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, through its first four episodes, The Copenhagen Test is also a wonderful sleep aid — a whole lot of leaden dialogue and convoluted plotting, with very little intensity or momentum.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaden
Adjective
-
And given all of the drama leading into the event, pretty good marks and a relatively boring draft add up to a win.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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As an interactive greeter, Melody shows how smart AI can turn boring service kiosks into friendly, lifelike conversations.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The woman’s expression, painted in different shades of gray, is intentionally distorted in Picasso’s signature Cubist style.—
Jake McGowan,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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The mission also revealed a new side of our planet with an Earthset photo, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray, pockmarked moon.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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He is limited on passing downs and is more of a slow-burn pocket pusher than a man with a plan.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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In some cases, lenders may cover the costs of buydown for you (either partially or in full), if the market is particularly slow.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Using information about a silver Volkswagen Jetta that police say was seen leaving the first crime scene, Georgia State Patrol troopers took Abel into custody during a traffic stop in Troup County.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Only a few hundred of the silver color-way, on display in the showroom, were produced.—
Samantha Lee
Connect
April 17,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shortly after the full-time whistle blew on Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, a weary team trudged over to the corner of the ground occupied by the travelling fans.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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The storm-weary central US will finally get a breather starting Sunday as a welcome change in weather pattern ushers in cooler temperatures.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This product is the one to reach for when your skin looks dull or tired.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
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Never a dull day in Frisco with the Dallas Cowboys.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Flimsy nozzles crack and leak, and heavy-duty nozzles get tiring to hold when your garden calls for more watering time than your hands can handle.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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Swift herself talked about how tiring the tour was and what her plans for the future were last October on BBC Radio 1 with Greg James.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Doxxing is just a form of stupid bullying, not free speech.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
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Healey must think ratepayers – who are burdened with some of the highest energy costs in the country – are pretty stupid and simple minded.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaden. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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