as in mustiness
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Recent Examples of staleness
The smart shopper will already note signs of staleness and mold in the old practice of a singer in stiff white tie and tails or gaudy gown, standing, arm propped on piano, of the second banana accompanist.
—
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Consider this a magical opportunity to escape the staleness of fall.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
Coach Billy Napier’s team blended play-calling staleness, horrendous clock management, defensive containment issues and overall immaturity.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Consider this a magical opportunity to escape the staleness of fall.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2025
Coach Billy Napier’s team blended play-calling staleness, horrendous clock management, defensive containment issues and overall immaturity.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staleness
Noun
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The film, which screenwriter Rowan Joffé adapted from a 2014 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne, seems aware of the orientalist mustiness of this premise without being compelled to subvert it in any meaningful way.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The sheets will absorb the stench while adding a pleasant scent.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
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Emissions from the turbines led to community uproar, with residents complaining of a stench, health problems and an inability to keep their windows open at home.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On the surface, this American-British group’s music seems geared mostly to dance floors with its inviting mix of R&B, funk and vocal harmonies that nod to The Supremes and other classic 1960s artists and such 1970s favorites as Chic and Sister Sledge, by way of Destiny’s Child.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The flavor is rich, savory, and slightly nutty, with a subtle funk.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On one side, a satanic figure named Randall Flagg who gathers his forces of badness to Las Vegas; on the other, the good guys, led by 108-year-old Mother Abigail in, of all places, Boulder.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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The show premiered over Thanksgiving weekend, when people were tired and full and bored (and probably also horny), and countered our world’s unceasing badness with its world’s buoyant sweetness.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Withholding their reunion reeks of the kind of water-treading felt throughout the first five episodes, but Cooper’s search for his family is a series-long arc, not a seasonal one.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 Feb. 2026
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Those of us invited to lead trainings, speak in front of groups, or write pieces like this one need to stay humble, to resist anything that reeks of protest-as-usual, soothing political egos, ideology, or false guarantees.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staleness. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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