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
  • 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
  • On the other side, the plumbing is being pushed toward neutral ground.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • For a more understated look, classic French tips, neutral ombré, and sheer pink designs offer a polished finish without feeling too bold.
    — Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of neutral
Adjective
  • The interior, meanwhile, is done up in a light beige leather, with a patch on the lid that shows off the partnership logo between Louis Vuitton and FIFA.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 14 July 2026
  • The new spa draws inspiration from the resort’s Sonoran Desert surroundings, with limestone walls bathed in sandy beige tones and custom stone mosaics, while sculptural furnishings mirror the crecendos of Camelback Mountain outside.
    — Tim Chan, HollywoodReporter, 12 July 2026
Definition of beige
Adjective
  • One rainy afternoon in August, Jean Booth scurried up the stairs of a nondescript Thai restaurant tucked into a strip mall off the highway, shook out her blue, shoulder-length hair and took out her phone.
    — Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • After a couple of nondescript seasons, Baines came of age in 1982, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 105.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of nondescript
Adjective
  • Shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was largely featureless and smooth.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 2 July 2026
  • The pieces are abstract but appear to show featureless human figures sitting atop globular, cloud-like shapes that float in the air.
    — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 June 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 17 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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