as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the characterizations are good, but the plot is just ho-hum
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ho-hum
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The sibling storyline is ho-hum basic, and the talented Danielle Brooks is also there, but not given anything interesting to do.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Adjective
That's not enough to pick against the Celtics, though, even after what felt like a ho-hum 61-21 regular season.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The sibling storyline is ho-hum basic, and the talented Danielle Brooks is also there, but not given anything interesting to do.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Interjection
Moreover, on a day-to-day basis, not just month-to-month, record lows are almost becoming, well, ho hum.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho-hum
Adjective
-
No more boring, irrelevant training modules—this is learning at the speed of work.—
Lisa Bodell,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Some of this may happen under cover of darkness, but much of it happens in the open, under cover of arcane technocracy or boring bureaucracy.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Interjection
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Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.—
Linda McIntosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
The non-violent struggle for freedom is a slow but steady process.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
The facade was one of drama but for Preston, the reality has been a slow, weary decline.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The Mets were three outs away from a sixth shutout in 23 games before Philadelphia scored four in the ninth off a tiring Max Kranick and Edwin Díaz.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Naturally, Raducanu’s level took a dip and the 2024 U.S Open runner-up seized the chance to let rip against a tiring opponent.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The actors’ shared genetics help Kurt convincingly play the older Wyatt, and their natural charisma helps make even the dullest scenes eminently watchable.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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The light turned from orange to dull gray, and then Joe nudged my aching ribs — the tiger was standing in a glade 60 yards downhill.—
Cyril E. Holland,
Outdoor Life,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
In one sense, this isn’t an entirely stupid proposition.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
-
Vel rails against the offender, saying her lover was the kind of warrior the Ghor rebels are trying to be and that her loss is both incalculable and stupid.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The sleep aide wakes up the weary with customizable light settings and soothing sounds—not to mention, will look like total eye candy on her nightstand.—
Sarah Madaus,
Architectural Digest,
17 Apr. 2025
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Tym Brown adds fine support as the school’s weary and worn-down principal.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With Venus retrograde in Aries starting on March 1 and affecting your career and outward expression, old insecurities about your worth and ambitions may surface.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
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The movie set, like all others, should have only had blanks on hand, but somehow a number of live rounds made their way to the location and one such bullet ended up in the gun that went off as Hutchins and Baldwin lined up a shot in an old church.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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