humdrum 1 of 2

Definition of humdrumnext
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest she leads a humdrum life that will never be made into a major motion picture a humdrum meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

humdrum

2 of 2

noun

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 humdrum
Adjective
The almond and orange flavors didn’t stand out or add anything to this humdrum iced coffee. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026 Thus, moments that are humdrum in the real game – like a coin toss — become intensely important, while moments that are huge in the real game become completely irrelevant. Rand Richards Cooper, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
No, no, nothing as humdrum as all that. Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026 Certainly the humdrum of legislation or bureaucratic rule-marking is nothing like the gossipy speculation about who may or may not bid to lead California as its 41st governor. Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for humdrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humdrum
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
  • To relieve the monotony of dining at El Rancho, the cast and crew often went out for dinner, but the options were limited.
    Tony Lee Moral, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There’s nothing wrong with breaking out of that monotony and having a little fun sometimes.
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Apr. 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
Noun
  • Italian nonne stirred pots full of sauce with a look of utter boredom and, here and there, Neapolitan ragazzi sat atop their motorini and gawped at the torture.
    Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • In some cases, however, there’s more to a creeping sense of boredom than just stability.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 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
  • While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.
    Reid BG, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • LaToya Jackson answers my questions in a polite but perfunctory monotone.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humdrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humdrum. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on humdrum

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster