drab 1 of 2

Definition of drabnext
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the new city hall promises to be another drab pile of masonry for the town

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drab

2 of 2

noun

as in prostitute
a woman who engages in sexual activities for money in its time, this waterfront dive was decried as a den of iniquity, unfit even for the drunks and drabs who haunted it

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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 drab
Adjective
Asian swamp eels in Florida are largely of an olive or drab brown color with yellow-orange bellies, though some can be brightly colored with variations of orange, pink and calico patterns. Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 The primary colors are drab grays and ugly browns. Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Kennedy assassination still features many unknowns, and information is still being released about it in drips and drabs—previewing, perhaps, the future of disclosure around the Epstein case. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025 The Midi Dress Midi dresses are the opposite of drab at the moment. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drab
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drab
Adjective
  • And given all of the drama leading into the event, pretty good marks and a relatively boring draft add up to a win.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • As an interactive greeter, Melody shows how smart AI can turn boring service kiosks into friendly, lifelike conversations.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The chant, a one-word slur that literally means male prostitute in Spanish, usually occurs when the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick.
    Carlos Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Sickert is showcased here for both his impressionistic instincts and his portrayal of previously taboo art subjects such as prostitutes and the impoverished.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The same study notes that the hormonal cascade may even dull pain by activating peripheral nerves and autonomic pathways.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Bemis, sold by her family in China and sent to America, worked as a domestic, not as a hooker.
    Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The trope of the hooker-in-the-dumpster is as old as TV itself.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Flimsy nozzles crack and leak, and heavy-duty nozzles get tiring to hold when your garden calls for more watering time than your hands can handle.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Swift herself talked about how tiring the tour was and what her plans for the future were last October on BBC Radio 1 with Greg James.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • He is limited on passing downs and is more of a slow-burn pocket pusher than a man with a plan.
    Tobias Bass, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • In some cases, lenders may cover the costs of buydown for you (either partially or in full), if the market is particularly slow.
    Aly J Yale, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After four consecutive years of long springs stretching into summer, Connor McDavid and his teammates have looked weary.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Annie is battle weary this season.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Drab.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drab. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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