1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word jejune distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of jejune are banal, flat, inane, insipid, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When might banal be a better fit than jejune?

While the synonyms banal and jejune are close in meaning, banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

Where would flat be a reasonable alternative to jejune?

While in some cases nearly identical to jejune, flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest.

although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flat

In what contexts can inane take the place of jejune?

The words inane and jejune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

When is insipid a more appropriate choice than jejune?

The words insipid and jejune can be used in similar contexts, but insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When would vapid be a good substitute for jejune?

In some situations, the words vapid and jejune are roughly equivalent. However, vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit.

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jejune
Adjective
  • Camilla told Newsweek that her husband, Linford, 32, works as a tunnel boring machine operator in London.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • These anything but boring side dishes let the bounty of the season shine in new and exciting ways.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The childish use of vulgar profanity simply leads peoople to view the speaker as being unable to express his/her view.
    Letters to the editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025
  • One standout was Helena Bonham Carter’s Red Queen running around the palace like a childish tyrant.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.
    Terry Ward, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • That was the result of a stupid Obama-era rule that claimed a benefit to climate change (the biggest scam ever perpetrated on humanity) by restricting water flow through shower heads and faucets.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The treatment was derived from human embryonic stem cells, which researchers had coaxed into becoming immature brain cells called neuron progenitors.
    Jon Hamilton, NPR, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Despite her experiences, Ellie is still emotionally immature, seeing independence as its own authority.
    Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, many on the internet have identified this week as a particularly tiring one for Black K-pop fans.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Of course, going from shows to pickleball classes to after-hours jam sessions at B.B. King’s Blues Club can be tiring.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One of my favorites of the important supporting cast is the charismatic Chinese couple who runs two shops in town and provides material support to the twins’ efforts to start their juke joint — Grace (Li Jun Li) and Bow Chow (Yao), who have an adolescent daughter, Lisa (Helena Hu).
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Shot at Maine North High School in Des Plaines, Ill., The Breakfast Club saw five disparate archetypical high schoolers come together, form unforgettable bonds and go through adolescent growing pains during one Saturday detention under the watchful eye of a domineering principal.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The company reaffirmed plans to launch an affordable model in early 2025, but warned the production ramp could be slower than expected.
    Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Solutions other than the pipeline are also slow and expensive.
    Brett Watson, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For juvenile whales in particular, who spend more time near the surface and often explore coastal shallows, the risk is acute and growing.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • After the attack, the juvenile creature was seen floating lifeless in the water, video footage shows.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Jejune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jejune. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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