STALENESS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

staleness

noun

Definition of staleness

as in mustiness

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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 staleness Sure, in 1854, the first prepacked box of Whitman's chocolates was introduced, guaranteeing to the American populace a standard of staleness, of flavorlessness, for years to come. — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026 Less than three months after the end of the World Cup, and concerns that the start of the 2030 cycle would be tame, uneventful and underwhelming — remember the fears regarding the potential staleness as a coach began a second cycle with the team? — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Although they’re designed to dispense cereal, most also have an airtight seal to lock in the freshness and avoid staleness. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026 The pilot of Adult Swim’s President Curtis, created by Dan Harmon and James Siciliano, seems to confirm the staleness and lack of utility for the new series. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 Occasional callbacks to actual Curb bits only draw attention to the material’s staleness. — Judy Berman, Time, 24 June 2026 By clamping the bag shut, the clips help keep air and moisture out, which slows staleness and helps food stay fresh longer. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026 That seal keeps air and moisture out, which slows staleness. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 And, yet, there is a tangible sense of staleness, even with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro the only remaining players from the Heat’s 2020 run to the NBA Finals and those two plus Dru Smith and Nikola Jovic the lone remaining players from the 2023 run to the NBA Finals. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for staleness

Noun

Do a Baking Soda Soak or Wash For stubborn mustiness, Salveson recommends adding 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drum with the sheets (not the dispenser) and washing on warm.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
Along with sending any bad odors out, the fresh air is also a great way to circulate any mustiness and help clear out any lingering germs that may be in the air.

— Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 31 May 2026

Definition of mustiness

Noun

Another common sign is rancidity, which occurs when the natural oils in the peanuts oxidize after prolonged exposure to air, light, or heat, Cutter says.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026
Keep nuts, seeds, and whole-wheat flour in the freezer to avoid rancidity and extend freshness.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 20 June 2026

Definition of rancidity

Noun

If breathing hadn’t been so hard, someone would have fainted from the stench of the farmers’ perspiration.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
The air purifier's Odor Neutralizer technology even removes smelly stenches and replaces them with a refreshing scent.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of stench

Noun

At a time when hip-hop had b-boy snap, and techno was still linked to electro-funk, the interplay between the three emergent sounds was at maximum harmony.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 2026
While Wolf has been known to traverse genres on her records, often leaning into the maximalism of funk, soulful dance, R&B and bedroom-pop to indie-rock — Mud was a sonic departure for her that leaned more Americana.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of funk

Noun

But, as part of a meticulous reconstruction of a type of eatery known for mediocre food, does its badness actually count as a mark of success?

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Leaping around in time, Gilroy draws us into Alex’s world with an effervescent wink at the badness of his behavior.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of badness

Noun

Offensive execution reeks in second half In the fourth quarter and overtime, the Cowboys’ offense was given four opportunities to put this game away.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026
That’s evident even from the eye-roller of a generic title, a cliché that reeks of preciousness.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of reek

Browse Nearby Words

stalemates

staleness

Stalinism

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“Staleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staleness. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of staleness

noun

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