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
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Cook Time: 1 hr Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
4
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Just a decade or two ago, chicken dinners often had a reputation as ho-hum and perhaps even a little bland.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2017
See all Example Sentences for ho-hum 
Adjective
In fact, contrary to California’s glitzy image, Reagan and Schwarzenegger are the odd men out in a long line of drab, largely ho-hum candidates who have been elected to the state’s top office.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Cook Time: 1 hr Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
4
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Just a decade or two ago, chicken dinners often had a reputation as ho-hum and perhaps even a little bland.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
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
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Harris, the narrator’s husband: Paul Mescal or Nick Kroll Can Ireland's sexiest chain-wearer reinvent himself as a boring straight guy who's not entirely fulfilling his wife?—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
13 Feb. 2025
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From awful ads to a divisive halftime show to a boring game, 10 things to forget.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
Interjection
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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
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Volunteer yourself to help with X, Y and Z accommodations if that lightens the family’s workload, without saying boo about the couple’s choices.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
18 Jan. 2024
Adjective
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This will include recruiting mercenaries and migrants to offset losses on the front line where Russian forces are making slow gains but at a considerable cost in personnel.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Larson continued to speak at a slower cadence but ran out of time and was not able to finish what was meant to be a five-minute speech.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The first few years of being a parent can be among the most tiring as moms and dads try and often fail to get infants into a regular routine of unbroken sleep at night.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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No matter the outcome of the AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and Bills, the winners are anyone who was tiring of the Taylor Swift-Hailee Steinfeld (faux) drama.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For a company known for its ingenuity, Disney seemed to phone it in this year by spending their precious millions on a dull ad that imagines a universe without their iconic IP.—
Rob LeDonne,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
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The female is dull yellow-green without any markings.—
Stan Tekiela,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The premise itself is both deeply stupid and incredibly clever (the sweet spot, really).—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2025
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Some of the replies were the usual stupid snark on social media from people who thrive on being negative.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For my company, that means being both a refuge for weary DEI professionals and a launchpad for those ready to step into their next great act.—
Dria James,
refinery29.com,
12 Feb. 2025
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One weary buyer confided in Parrish, cried on his shoulder.—
Linda Robertson,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff: The high school senior, Timothy and Victoria's youngest, is pulled between following the life path of his older sister and brother while deciding his major life decision: Whether to go to Duke or the University of North Carolina.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Freezing temperatures can pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants and older adults.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ho-hum
Cite this Entry
“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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