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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Betancourt’s approach feels leaden with reference and citation, too often leaning on a catalog of cultural properties to advance an argument that is, at its heart, empirical. Jake Nevins, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Humor — both black and camp — is the key here, unlike the often-leaden film which relied on special effects rather than a sharp script and knowing comic direction for its wow factor. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024 For a movie whose chief anthem is an advertisement for the joys of defying gravity, Wicked is surprisingly leaden, with a promise of more of the same to come. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024 The men gasped, took deep useless breaths of the leaden wet air, and shambled forward grunting and sobbing, their arms slowly and inevitably bending toward the ground. David Denby, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for leaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaden
Adjective
  • No more boring, irrelevant training modules—this is learning at the speed of work.
    Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Some of this may happen under cover of darkness, but much of it happens in the open, under cover of arcane technocracy or boring bureaucracy.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In one of the videos, obtained by CNN from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, Dali can be seen proceeding through the security checkpoint’s body scanner, and getting a pat down while wearing a tan shirt over a grey hoodie and jeans.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Josh McDaniels was looking thinner, and he’s got more grey hairs on his head, but the offensive coordinator – returning for his third stint with the Patriots – seemed recharged in his first meeting with reporters since being hired by head coach Mike Vrabel in January.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The company reaffirmed plans to launch an affordable model in early 2025, but warned the production ramp could be slower than expected.
    Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Marie Collins, a survivor and safeguarding expert from Ireland who served on the commission in the early years, resigned in frustration at the slow pace of change.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The women also showed off their personal style, with Karen Fairchild opting for an orange minidress under a gray suit jacket and fishnet stockings, and Kimberly Schlapman choosing a black minidress with fuzzy fringe on the bottom.
    Lori A Bashian Fox News, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Choose from four different finishes: brown, dark brown, gray wash, and white wash.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Where to watch: Peacock 'The Order' Based on a true story, the excellent white-knuckle crime thriller casts Jude Law as a weary FBI agent who partners with a young Oregon cop (Tye Sheridan) when a series of terrorist attacks hint at the involvement of a neo-Nazi group with nefarious plans.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The novel’s weary detective, Prudence Freeborne, is of course heading to her retirement party when the call comes through.
    Leo Robson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But about three-fourths of Hurdle’s new clients have already decided to join the silver sisterhood, and in those cases, greyblending is all done below the line of demarcation to adapt to the colors of the new growth.
    Lindsy Van Gelder, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
  • For its silver anniversary, the BET Awards is pulling out all the stops.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Designed for Uncertainty – And the Next Economic Landscape Think defense stocks are dull?
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, early American industrial work was demanding, dull, and dangerous.
    Made by History, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • View 6 Images Reading and writing on regular tablets can be tiring for your eyes, which is where E Ink can help.
    Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Ultimately, many on the internet have identified this week as a particularly tiring one for Black K-pop fans.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaden. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on leaden

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!