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 But their work is less likely to become clichéd, because any stale fixations will always be rinsed and refreshed by the real. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 To avoid smelling like stale airplanes, pack travel sizes of your everyday fragrances. — Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 This is the best time for the fan setting because it can be used to move air throughout the home and pass the stale air through the filter to get rid of the stuffy feeling. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 24 Aug. 2026 Store with the zipper slightly ajar so the air can circulate; this reduces the risk of any stale odors getting trapped inside. — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stale
  1. stereotyped
  2. boring
  3. tired
  4. tiring
  5. hackneyed
  6. old
  7. slow
  8. weary
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
  • Jasmine[‘s character] has a husband, a daughter, a boring life sometimes.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • These recipes for muffins, snack mix, energy balls and more are proof that eating better doesn’t have to be boring, regardless of age.
    — Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • That was especially common among Group of 6 fans, who are tired of watching their best players and coaches getting poached by wealthier programs.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • Soreness began settling in, and Mincey taught us a technique for safely walking on locked knees to spare our tiring muscles, which got us through the steep and gravelly hike.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But keeping that up can be a tiring proposition once a Grand Slam rolls around.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of tiring
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
  • The sheriff's office's drone was used to assist in checking the approximately 28-acre property and helped identify old kennel and animal-confinement areas.
    — River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The 27-year-old pre-training researcher’s dramatic resignation has fired off a provocative warning on X that instantly sent ripples across the tech sector.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of old
Adjective
  • In fact, starting too early often has more downsides than taking it slow.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But so far, the economy has grown at roughly 2% annually, slower than the gains during the Biden administration.
    — Josh Boak, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Fall is the perfect time to revive summer-weary lawns by aerating and overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Mozeliak has no idea whether Kroenke might invite him to stay, but for now the plan of rebuilding the team and reorganizing the front office remains on course, in the interest of serving fans weary and frustrated after 12 consecutive losing seasons.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of weary

Browse Nearby Words

stalags
stale
stalemate
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Cite this Entry

“Stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stale. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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