stale

adjective

ˈstāl How to pronounce stale (audio)
Definition of stalenext
1
as in stereotyped
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

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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 One man would make rosaries for the group out of stale bread. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 The new ‘Burbs, expanded to eight episodes by creator Celeste Hughey, seems at first to be a stale, simplistic fusion of its namesake and the more recent wave of racially attuned social thrillers popularized by Get Out director Jordan Peele. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 Since 2013, each sequel has avoided feeling stale because it's helmed by an up-and-coming director who puts their stamp on the material with a fresh story and set of characters. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Instead, the only sign of Social Security in many of these campaigns has been the stale Democratic accusations that Republican candidates are planning a stealth dismemberment of the system. — Jessica Riedl, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stale
  1. stereotyped
  2. boring
  3. tired
  4. old
  5. hackneyed
  6. tiring
  7. weary
  8. slow
Adjective
  • Despite their outer appearances and oftentimes stereotyped personalities, the ladies embrace each other’s depths and contradictions.
    — Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026
  • This is a directed, stereotyped behavior in which the highest-resolution region of the somatosensory surface is brought to bear on the object requiring the most detailed analysis.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Definition of stereotyped
Adjective
  • Anyone looking to change their old, boring, heavy bag routine should consider a boxing reflex ball.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
  • Peace lily The peace lily may be one of the most common flowering houseplants around, but this tranquil botanical with tropical origins is anything but boring.
    — Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 22 July 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Pick up a s’mores kit from reception, claim one of the firepits, and watch your fellow Cape-goers drift back from the beach with sandy feet and tired kids.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2026
  • In an age of endless subscriptions and price hikes, people are sick and tired of paying for access to products rather than owning them.
    — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Unlike my original e-bike, the Huffy includes metal fenders, a metal chain guard, and a battery that can charge in or out of the bike - all for a third of the price of my old bike.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Tyler James Feehan shared memories of the 25-year-old who was killed on July 17 as a result of Iranian strikes on Jordan.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • Maybe so, but think of how badly Congress had stated those hackneyed ideas.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • While not exactly a feminist screed, the script grants nary a free pass to the glut of hackneyed gender conventions in the golden-age canon without at least cracking a joke.
    — Naveen Kumar, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of hackneyed
Adjective
  • Of course, the players were tiring, and Argentina were always going to respond, but Tuchel’s substitutions made England passive.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • But just like fashion, the world of Instagrammable food proved tiring too.
    — Violet Conroy, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of tiring
Adjective
  • Spare a thought for the weary new Airbus A350-1000ULR, which is cooling its jets in Melbourne after completing its first-ever nonstop test flight from France.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Hathaway, in her third collaboration with Nolan, is cunning but weary, while Pattinson is just a fantastic creep.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of weary
Adjective
  • After the shooting, the victim’s car was seen on surveillance footage driving in slow circles as federal agents appeared to try and stop the vehicle.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Thus far, capital markets more broadly have been slow to respond to this threat for a variety of reasons.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 18 July 2026
Definition of slow

Browse Nearby Words

stalags
stale
stalemate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stale. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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