Definition of ho-humnext
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the characterizations are good, but the plot is just ho-hum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ho hum

2 of 2

interjection

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 ho-hum
Adjective
This still might be a relatively quick series if New York can wrap things up in Saturday’s Game 5, but it can no longer be considered ho-hum. Bob Harkins, New York Times, 11 June 2026 Where pre-2020 San Jose might have seen packed lunch spots and ho-hum nightlife, that cycle has now flipped. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Interjection
Scottie Scheffler, ho hum The world’s best golfer won The American Express yesterday in his first start of the year, which is both astounding and unsurprising. Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 The distinction between being unique and ho hum is as thin as the crust. Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ho-hum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ho-hum
Adjective
  • When talking about the Gerhardt brothers, Hudson, a quarterback, and Bailen, a receiver, first-year Village Christian coach Rand Holdren says there’s never a boring moment when the two are together.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Everton have finished 13th, in the boring but comfortable reassurance of mid-table, in each of the past two seasons.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Interjection
  • Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Reseeding helps block weed growth, repel lawn diseases, slow soil erosion, and strengthen growth in bare patches.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Critical thinking is based on the need for a deliberate, slow, self-regulatory pause.
    Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Interjection
  • Those two characters served as the yin and yang for the early MCU — Stark the brash, rakish genius; Cap the stalwart, aw shucks warrior — that became the franchise’s gravitational center.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024
  • That’s what’s got everybody’s eyes rolling, her aw shucks/ohmygod!
    Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 7 July 2023
Adjective
  • Food & Drink You’ll find just two dining venues on the property, The Dining Room (which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and the poolside Palapa Bar, but there’s no chance of tiring of the fare.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Permanent Marker Removal Trying to scrub permanent marker away is tiring, time-consuming, and often futile without some type of product to loosen the marker.
    Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • In recent studies by AccuWeather experts, excessive rainfall can contribute to insect and fungus damage in parts of Pennsylvania, which may lead to duller colors and earlier leaf drop.
    Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The city is flooded with dull and uninteresting structures clad in the material.
    Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Far too much coverage of declining trust in science — particularly the anti-vaccine movement — is predicated on the assumption that its adherents are either stupid or crazy.
    Rick Berke, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodge Durango Hellcat is the most accessible way to go stupid-fast in a three-row family car thanks to the Escalade V‘s high price tag.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • And Trump’s priority is to lower costs for inflation-weary consumers ahead of the midterms, just suspending tariffs on imports of up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to bring cheaper foreign meat into the market.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • As competition intensifies, Walmart and Kroger are lowering prices across the board to appeal to inflation-weary, cost-conscious consumers.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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