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

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 leaden But the ubiquitous walls of video are a crutch in Cromer’s leaden production, creating a static disconnect between Clooney and the audience in moments that should feel the most urgently personal. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 Exhausted now, his blood pressure mounting, Cassidy sits heavily, leaden, on the edge of the bed. Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025 And treading water is making my legs and arms feel leaden. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 The subtext becomes text, and the film isn’t quite scary enough to make up for its mostly leaden message. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaden
Adjective
  • And, actually, representative of the sport in these non-boring ’20s.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Aesha knows a thing or two about Bitcoin, despite finding it a boring topic of conversation — her fiancé, Scott, is into crypto.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The episodes feel choppy, hardly letting anything land, yet still feeling slow.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The crowd, quietening into a slow clap with the moment building, burst into a celebration.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her eyes were technically blue, but really more gray; other people’s blue eyes seemed to draw commentary, but no one ever remarked on hers.
    Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Saturday morning on campus in Westwood was gray and groggy.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the song order is Easter egg intentional – as with everything Swift – it’s bookended by a declaration of romantic salvation and a narrative from the perspective of a weary, yet defiant showgirl.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In the story, Raina is a young Bulgarian woman who must choose between her militant fiancé, Sergius, and the kind, war-weary soldier Bluntschli, who has sought out refuge in her bedroom.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The launch produced a bright, silver-white plume that changed into colorful veils as the sun illuminated the high exhaust at about 70-110 km (45-70 miles).
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The look Sweeney took inspiration from was first worn on the runway ensconced in a gargantuan, white faux fur coat, before the model stripped it off to reveal the silver showstopper underneath.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The track opens with a provocative guitar riff, setting the stage for a fierce jungle hunt rather than a dull cat-and-mouse game.
    Billboard China, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
  • So much noise, apparently, that Yankees management is pressuring Ticketmaster to keep Sox fans down to a dull roar.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The first trimester was always tiring.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Without a strict hierarchy or single decision-maker, our process can sometimes be slow, messy, or even tiring.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The name-calling and the stupid AI and the imagery has got to stop.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
  • These kids are being stupid and absurd and reckless and not thinking about anything other than what’s directly in front of their faces.
    Will Leitch, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Leaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaden. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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