1
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
viewers were bored by the stale story lines of the new crop of sitcoms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the sequel is basically a stale remake of the first movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stale
In addition to this expert insight, the company offers CMAs backed by fresh data — unlike other platforms that often rely on stale information.
—
Mary Beth Eastman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Uber Eats’ new Fresh Guarantee means that if your fresh item arrives spoiled, damaged, stale, or past its best-by date, the company will ensure a full review and refund for eligible items.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Leninism as a living mobilizational ideology had run its revolutionary course and was now the stale dogma of the lip-service state.
—Benjamin Nathans
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Without visibility into all human and non-human accounts, applications accumulate stale, excessive or conflicting permissions.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stale
Mary Beth Eastman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Uber Eats’ new Fresh Guarantee means that if your fresh item arrives spoiled, damaged, stale, or past its best-by date, the company will ensure a full review and refund for eligible items.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Leninism as a living mobilizational ideology had run its revolutionary course and was now the stale dogma of the lip-service state.
—Benjamin Nathans
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Without visibility into all human and non-human accounts, applications accumulate stale, excessive or conflicting permissions.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stale
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
-
Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
People only 21 years or older are allowed to shop at Canna Bloom.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
New York fairgoers eventually grew tired of this, Pirro said.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
-
On the Blumarine spring 2026 runway in Milan on Friday, models tapped into their inner bohemian-fairy party girl personas with charcoal eyeliner smudged around their eyes, faded hues on their lips and tired waves in their hair.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 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 story revolves around this character in ways that feel hackneyed and forced.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is actually better than some of the hackneyed rom-coms Reiner muddled through, a coming-of-age story about two kids’ pseudo-love story from grade school through middle school.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
13 Sep. 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 slow start that Mayfield is alluding to has to do with the Buccaneers only scoring two field goals through the first half, and scoring their first touchdown well into the third quarter.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Construction in the section of Jackson Park, often described as Chicago’s equivalent of Central Park, has been slow.—
Christine Valora,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stale. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share