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

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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
  • Literature that doesn’t contain its own version of this deal—literature that tries to freeze-frame reality instead of transmuting it—is often boring, even alienating.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Then Saturday, Columbus sputtered to a disappointing (and boring) scoreless draw at home against the Houston Dynamo, one of the weakest MLS teams.
    Andrew King, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Empire is a manifesto opposing the most corrupt, childish film genre.
    Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Trump Turnberry calls pro-Palestinian group's actions a 'childish, criminal act' Police in Scotland said officers were investigating after receiving a report about the golf course being damaged around 4:40 a.m., a spokesperson for the department told Reuters and Fox News.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His is a sort of erudite buffoonery that consistently tap-dances between clever, self-aware, and patently stupid.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Each of them loses track of a CD filled with secrets, and some end up dying in the stupidest possible ways because of their incompetence.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The series follows the (fictional) famous televangelist family of the Gemstones, led by widowed patriarch Eli (played by John Goodman) alongside his immature children Jesse (Danny McBride), Judy (Edi Patterson) and Kelvin (Adam DeVine).
    Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The son of a Russian oligarch, Vanya is immature, perpetually stoned, and supposed to be using his time in the States to study.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Follow the money: The stock market, for one, is tiring of such shenanigans.
    Felix Salmon, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In Aurora, voters seem to be tiring of two-term incumbent Republican Richard Irvin, who was the top vote getter but got just 38%.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The victim was also found to be developmentally delayed with an adolescent cognitive level, the warrant affidavit said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Related: New 'Girl Goals' report shows uneven progress for adolescent girls.
    Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The second came in April 2022, when Wall Street panicked over analysts’ predicting slow subscriber growth as Disney, HBO and NBCUniversal invested heavily in streaming.
    Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Plan For Possible Delays: Given the potential for slower processing, apply well before needing benefits.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • All five suspects were booked into juvenile hall or jail custody.
    Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The American people deserve better than petty, juvenile stunts in one of the most sacred chambers of government.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 2025.

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