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 According to Chernoff, this can lead to excess frost, stale odors, and inconsistent freezing conditions, all of which negatively affect ice quality. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026 Malik says yes, wine will taste stale. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 Their drama is already stale, and between Nathan’s touchiness and Joe’s mistreatment of women, their fight over who is a better guy, a better seaman, a better worker, a better boyfriend is disengaging at best and aggravating at worst. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 June 2026 Decades of experience and the heavy scent of stale papers and bleach hang in the balance between us. — Ashley Andreou, STAT, 22 June 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
  • The couple just stole $10 million — a theft consequential enough to set the entire story in motion, yet also too boring to depict outside a brief flashback?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • The boring games are usually like watching paint dry and their very dedicated fans are only there for the massive parties.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • The brand is winning over tired consumers who already reach for something sweet before bed by combining the comfort of a late-night treat with ingredients designed to support a better sleep routine.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
  • Some get the number of dollars tied to their age (this used to be the case for Ollie and his brother, Owen, until their mom, Rebecca, got tired of them fighting over their disparate payouts) and others much more.
    — Erika Janes, Curbed, 17 July 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The 19-year-old also said that France should fear Spain due to Spain’s recent success against Les Bleus.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • The 29-year-old signed with San Francisco in free agency on a one-year, $12-million contract.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 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
  • The 90 minutes or more will be highly physical and tiring, and only one will remain standing at the end.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The head coach was clumsy in his response, saying — in effect — that the player is better suited to being an impact substitute and taking advantage of tiring opposition defenders.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of tiring
Adjective
  • American trade associations, too, found fault with the duty hike, both because of its regressive impact on diversification efforts and its potential impact on inflation-weary American consumers.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
  • There’s something thrilling about standing on the battleground that led to a turning point in the American Civil War, or imagining Abraham Lincoln delivering his famous Gettysburg Address to war-weary soldiers.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 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
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Cite this Entry

“Stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stale. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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