vapid

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vapid distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

When can banal be used instead of vapid?

While in some cases nearly identical to vapid, banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

When is flat a more appropriate choice than vapid?

Although the words flat and vapid have much in common, flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest.

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

When would inane be a good substitute for vapid?

The words inane and vapid can be used in similar contexts, but inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

In what contexts can insipid take the place of vapid?

In some situations, the words insipid and vapid are roughly equivalent. However, insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

Where would jejune be a reasonable alternative to vapid?

The meanings of jejune and vapid largely overlap; however, jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

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 vapid The sanctimonious proto-Communist bait of Good Night, and Good Luck Activist-actor George Clooney confirms his hyphenate status by adapting his vapid 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck for the Broadway stage. Armond White, National Review, 30 Apr. 2025 Thankfully, Cronenberg is less interested in taking potshots at his vapid characters (played by the game likes of Julianne Moore, John Cusack, and Evan Bird channeling Shia LaBeouf) than in unearthing the sadness and madness that gnaws at their superficial dreams. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025 The notion that morning TV talk-show hosts are a vapid lot is, well, not exactly a damning critique, but like so much of Don’t Look Up, it’s held up as a scathing, startling takedown, and Blanchett plays it with the same level of obviousness. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025 At a time when electronic music is wracked by nostalgia and vapid genre collisions, the most addictive 2020s phonk offers the thrilling promise of a wild new style. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vapid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vapid
Adjective
  • The parasites get their names from the larvae, which look and act like screws, boring and twisting into their victim's flesh.
    Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
  • In the early episodes, when everyone’s still getting to know each other, are the conversations boring?
    Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Jess: The curds themselves are crispy, but the toast is stupid.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The dialogue wasn’t dumbed down and stupid comic book stuff.
    William Earl, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • How old is Taylor Swift? Kelce was born Oct. 5, 1989 (that year sound familiar?), making the 35-year-old a Libra.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Successive administrations let the old broadcast arms of American government abroad — Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia — slide into well-meaning obsolescence.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And so to their kits, which more often than not are just not especially interesting: take this away strip, with its mid-2000s retro styling and pleasant off-white piping, but is just…quite dull.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia can strip the finish and dull the surface, leaving the floor prone to scratches and other damage.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • New York lawmakers are proposing rules to humanely drive down the population of rats and other rodents, eyeing contraception and a ban on glue traps as alternatives to poison or a slow, brutal death.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Satellite: Available almost everywhere but can be slower and affected by weather.
    Kara McGinley, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Superman’s meh international returns can also be understood as reflective of the worldwide audience tiring of Hollywood’s cultural diktats.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
  • With both sets of players tiring, the best chance of the 30-minute period would fall to substitute Salma Paralluelo, who could not divert Batlle’s cross towards goal from four yards out.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • The San Francisco Giants are having yet another blah season, taking a 59-60 record into Tuesday and trailing the Padres by eight games.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • There is no one right answer, as MLB currently has more delightful stadiums than blah ones, but if the safest answer is Fenway Park for a night game and Wrigley for a day game.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Arsenal were distinctly pedestrian in their 1-0 win against Manchester United in their Premier League opener on Sunday, with new signing Viktor Gyokeres still looking out of sync with the rest of team after his $86m move from Sporting Club.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The unusual start time—one that was especially onerous to viewers on the West Coast—limited Woods’ live deliveries to a rather pedestrian 10.8 million viewers.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vapid. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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