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
Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026
These plants have long been a landscape staple, especially as an evergreen foundation plant, to the point where they were seen as pedestrian and a little ho-hum.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Depending on whether the context is stable (everyday ho hum) or unstable (e.g., COVID-19; tariff wars; geopolitical instability etc.), the cues that get signalled and the way leaders signal these messages change.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Adjective
Behr’s French Beige Beige homes often get a ho-hum reputation, but cloaked in Behr’s French Beige, your exterior sidesteps those stereotypes entirely, our experts say.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026
These plants have long been a landscape staple, especially as an evergreen foundation plant, to the point where they were seen as pedestrian and a little ho-hum.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026
Interjection
The distinction between being unique and ho hum is as thin as the crust.
—Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
Depending on whether the context is stable (everyday ho hum) or unstable (e.g., COVID-19; tariff wars; geopolitical instability etc.), the cues that get signalled and the way leaders signal these messages change.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho-hum
Adjective
-
Sometimes safe and boring can be a winning strategy.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Interjection
-
The new iPad Pro marks the point midway between the way things were (Bezel? Yuck!) and the way they soon will be (Nothing but screen.—
David Pierce,
WIRED,
12 June 2017
Adjective
-
The Virgo moon invites you to take a slower pace today.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
The Targaryen civil war has been a bit of a slow burn so far, though both sides of the family have suffered major casualties.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The longtime Florida coach swapped a tiring McDonald for Russell Sandefer with one out in the top of the sixth inning.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
-
By combining both the heated air flow of a blow dryer and a round brush in a single tool, this product is much simpler and less tiring to use than working with a separate hair dryer and round brush.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Agathe finds her boss’s remarks dull, but more or less shares these views.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
17 June 2026
-
Dish soap strips away the protective wax and can actually dull or damage the paint over time, leaving it more vulnerable to scratches and fading.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The pyrotechnics, however, come from Amanda and Danielle, who get in one of those stupid fights that are only possible after a full day of drinking in a retro vehicle.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
-
Yes, Ken really is this stupid.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some war-weary Republicans were eager to endorse the agreement — if the fine print matches the administration’s summary.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
-
Quit Complaining Travel can be stressful, especially when airports swell with weary-eyed tourists who may be dealing with delays, cancellations, and lost luggage.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The 2-year-old has not been identified as of Tuesday night.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Investigators also cited writings allegedly authored by Proper, the youngest member of the group at 19 years old.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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