vanilla

adjective

Definition of vanillanext
as in boring
lacking in distinctive features or qualities a plain vanilla version of a song that's been recorded more times than necessary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 vanilla The court has ruled that the companies must develop a new product formula that does not include vanilla derived from non-vanilla plant sources within 12 months of the settlement’s finalization, according to the news release. — Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vanilla
  1. boring
  2. neutral
  3. beige
  4. nondescript
  5. featureless
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
  • Bitcoin’s credibility comes from open participation and neutral settlement.
    — Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Think retro sneakers in neutral colors, mesh flats with arch support for sightseeing, and dressier flip-flops for completing a vacation-ready outfit.
    — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
Definition of neutral
Adjective
  • Comedian Ben Marshall sports a beige look at the screening of Netflix’s 72 Hours at The Plaza Hotel on July 20 in New York City.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Jalen Brunson kept his game-day look classic in a white t-shirt, beige pants, and sneakers, while Ali Brunson amped up the casual dress code in a white tank, Louis Vuitton jeans, and heels.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 20 July 2026
Definition of beige
Adjective
  • The shooting led many to dissect how security could have been tighter at the event, where members of the public were roaming around the hotel and only a nondescript paper ticket was needed to access certain areas.
    — Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • Fashion is shifting direction, moving away from nondescript minimalist pieces to jewelry that excites—think natural materials, organic shapes, and details that look as though they were gathered during a walk on the beach.
    — Selene Oliva, Glamour, 18 July 2026
Definition of nondescript
Adjective
  • For more than a century, Anna Horan’s gravesite was one of the thousands marked by squat, featureless headstones arranged in uneven rows along the hillside in New Haven’s Blake Street Cemetery.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026
  • Shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was largely featureless and smooth.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2026
Definition of featureless

Browse Nearby Words

vanguards
vanilla
vanish
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Vanilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vanilla. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on vanilla

Nglish: Translation of vanilla for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vanilla

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