as in food
something that maintains or stimulates the intellect
we have reached a cultural low if reality television is regarded as pabulum for the masses
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Recent Examples of pabulum
On their face, Grok’s responses seem at least as coherent as some of the bland crisis-management pabulum that comes from prominent figures facing their own controversies.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Jan. 2026
This was culture as interchangeable primetime pabulum; three minutes apiece for the acts to impress the new judges and boost sales.
—Mike McCahill, Variety, 8 May 2023
Twitter account, which spouted pabulum about the decency of the human spirit, became extremely popular.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Try to imagine Britain’s prime minister rallying his nation to fight the Nazi war machine armed with this progressive pabulum.
—Joseph Loconte, National Review, 9 Sep. 2020
His onscreen counterpart in the film adaptation of this story, Memoir of a Murderer, trades in this complexity for more standard antihero pabulum (his only desire is to keep Eunhui safe).
—Alana Mohamed, The Atlantic, 11 June 2019
The pabulum that passes for most reviews is an insult to the intelligence of most readers.
—Christian Lorentzen, Harper's magazine, 10 Apr. 2019
They are just being fed this pabulum of leftist ideology.
—Fox News, 25 Apr. 2018
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Jan. 2026
This was culture as interchangeable primetime pabulum; three minutes apiece for the acts to impress the new judges and boost sales.
—Mike McCahill, Variety, 8 May 2023
Twitter account, which spouted pabulum about the decency of the human spirit, became extremely popular.
—New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021
Try to imagine Britain’s prime minister rallying his nation to fight the Nazi war machine armed with this progressive pabulum.
—Joseph Loconte, National Review, 9 Sep. 2020
His onscreen counterpart in the film adaptation of this story, Memoir of a Murderer, trades in this complexity for more standard antihero pabulum (his only desire is to keep Eunhui safe).
—Alana Mohamed, The Atlantic, 11 June 2019
The pabulum that passes for most reviews is an insult to the intelligence of most readers.
—Christian Lorentzen, Harper's magazine, 10 Apr. 2019
They are just being fed this pabulum of leftist ideology.
—Fox News, 25 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pabulum
Noun
-
An edible garden by landscape designer Lily Kwong offers overseas travelers an introduction to local plants, like the butterfly pea flower, which is commonly used in Peranakan cuisine, and fragrant pandan, which is harvested for use in some of the hotel’s food and drinks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The complaint alleges the defendants failed to manufacture, supply and serve food safe for human consumption and violated federal food safety laws and USDA performance standards governing ground beef.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
In turn, these ingredients will firm the skin, visibly smooth fine lines, impart a youthful glow, and provide deep nourishment.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
-
Her January menu, Mutsuki, was themed around nourishment and resilience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pabulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pabulum. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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