as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the lecturer's monotonous delivery threatened to put us to sleep
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in boredom
a tedious lack of variety
detested the mind-numbing monotonousness of the task but knew that it had to be done
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of monotonous
Nena Farrell, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025
Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Grit is doing monotonous things over and over and over again, and Spencer is all about that.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
As preternaturally still sniper Elliott (Cosmo Jarvis) keeps an eye on al-Qaida operatives in a nearby marketplace, the rest of the guys do push-ups, tell jokes and listen to radio chatter in a sort of ominously monotonous limbo.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monotonous
Adjective
Getting to do it with a fun little tool only adds to the serotonin boost of what would otherwise feel like a monotonous task.
—Nena Farrell, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025
Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Grit is doing monotonous things over and over and over again, and Spencer is all about that.
—Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
As preternaturally still sniper Elliott (Cosmo Jarvis) keeps an eye on al-Qaida operatives in a nearby marketplace, the rest of the guys do push-ups, tell jokes and listen to radio chatter in a sort of ominously monotonous limbo.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monotonous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monotonous
Adjective
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The Salon Clutch Structured yet theatrical, Le Salon is Jacquemus’s answer to the evening clutch—pared back, but never boring.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
10 May 2025
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Even Jiro himself, originally thought the film would be boring, Gelb admitted.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Over time, chronic stress can lead to social isolation, boredom, and lack of physical activity, which negatively impacts both the emotional and physical health of shelter animals.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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The border was so quiet that National Guardsmen were reportedly struggling with boredom.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Mets were three outs away from a sixth shutout in 23 games before Philadelphia scored four in the ninth off a tiring Max Kranick and Edwin Díaz.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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Naturally, Raducanu’s level took a dip and the 2024 U.S Open runner-up seized the chance to let rip against a tiring opponent.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Immediate feedback during practice creates tight learning loops that accelerate mastery, while varied approaches prevent the monotony that leads to disengagement.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Immediate feedback during practice creates tight learning loops that accelerate mastery, while varied approaches prevent the monotony that leads to disengagement.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The non-violent struggle for freedom is a slow but steady process.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 May 2025
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The facade was one of drama but for Preston, the reality has been a slow, weary decline.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Some professors didn’t understand how to talk with audiences and were criticized for their monotone deliveries.—
Josh Shepperd,
The Conversation,
2 May 2025
-
Affleck’s Christian Wolff is a monotone bean counter who used to help criminal organizations launder money and clean their books.—
Jake Coyle,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The actors’ shared genetics help Kurt convincingly play the older Wyatt, and their natural charisma helps make even the dullest scenes eminently watchable.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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The light turned from orange to dull gray, and then Joe nudged my aching ribs — the tiger was standing in a glade 60 yards downhill.—
Cyril E. Holland,
Outdoor Life,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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In one sense, this isn’t an entirely stupid proposition.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
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Vel rails against the offender, saying her lover was the kind of warrior the Ghor rebels are trying to be and that her loss is both incalculable and stupid.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Monotonous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monotonous. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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