1
as in boring
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character
unlike their early work, the band's latest offering is banal and uninspiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
please find new ways of phrasing your thoughts instead of relying on banal expressions
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of banal
Couldn't think of something more boring and banal and a waste of time.
—
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Couldn’t think of something more boring and banal and a waste of time.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
In this scenario, the Kremlin could meet a moment where its resistance to the banal inconveniences of reality, and the economic hardship of its own people, turns toxic.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
The actions had all been engineered to seem so gradual, Evie thought, even banal.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banal
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Couldn’t think of something more boring and banal and a waste of time.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
In this scenario, the Kremlin could meet a moment where its resistance to the banal inconveniences of reality, and the economic hardship of its own people, turns toxic.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
The actions had all been engineered to seem so gradual, Evie thought, even banal.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for banal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banal
Adjective
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Without getting into spoilers, her one-and-done appearance in Episode 5 presents the perfect opportunity for the more-than-capable Meester to match wits with Bell’s judgmental Joanna, only to strand the actor with boring, obvious jokes and saddle her with a feeble resolution.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Oct. 2025
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Now, adidas is also proving that hiking boots don’t have to look boring, since the brand’s perfect-for-fall versions are attractive as can be, what with their mingling of brown with other earth tones.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
If your instinct, in other words, is to smooth things over with a bland fabrication, try dropping a tiny truth bomb instead.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
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Overall, Delta’s hope is that by scaling up the culinary quality level, the age-old reputation of bland, tasteless airline food will be a thing of the past.—
Rachel Chang,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
On the road, the Murano sidesteps the insipid CVT vibe of the past.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
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Callahan’s baritone is rich and full, but the rest of the instrumentation feels insipid.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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There isn’t an obvious replacement, but fans are tired and want something else.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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Her recipe is simple, elegant, and designed to keep the party going without anyone leaving jittery or tired.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Probably something dull and unpaid.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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Watch for warning signs like dropping buds and dull-looking foliage, which indicate the soil is too dry for this plant.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hail, tornadoes and drought are all commonplace in the region.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
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Claims about the health and beauty benefits of collagen supplements are commonplace these days, especially online.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But Braun was solid before tiring and working through injuries that affected him on the ball over the final month last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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Instead of a chance to flex their goalscoring muscles, United had to grit their teeth and see out a gruelling, tense, tiring second half.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Banal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banal. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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