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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
  • Harris, the narrator’s husband: Paul Mescal or Nick Kroll Can Ireland's sexiest chain-wearer reinvent himself as a boring straight guy who's not entirely fulfilling his wife?
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2025
  • From awful ads to a divisive halftime show to a boring game, 10 things to forget.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • And also Gary's behavior back towards Glenn on that was just quite a bit childish.
    Gina Ragusa, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Your brother’s behavior is passive-aggressive and childish.
    Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Some of the replies were the usual stupid snark on social media from people who thrive on being negative.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025
  • The premise itself is both deeply stupid and incredibly clever (the sweet spot, really).
    Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Edamame Edamame are immature green soybeans high in protein, fiber, iron, vitamin C, and calcium.
    Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2025
  • People who are emotionally immature often won’t take responsibility for their own actions when something goes wrong.
    Kathy and Ross Petras, Contributors, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The first few years of being a parent can be among the most tiring as moms and dads try and often fail to get infants into a regular routine of unbroken sleep at night.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • No matter the outcome of the AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and Bills, the winners are anyone who was tiring of the Taylor Swift-Hailee Steinfeld (faux) drama.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The move swept up many resources on the CDC website, ranging from data on adolescent health and infectious disease to clinical guidelines on reproductive care and HIV.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Dawn Bounds, PhD, an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Irvine Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, specializes in social media and adolescent mental health.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Larson continued to speak at a slower cadence but ran out of time and was not able to finish what was meant to be a five-minute speech.
    Andrew Solender, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Level 2 charging times with the Premium trim and its smaller 14.9 kWh battery are roughly the same thanks to a slower onboard charger (3 kW vs. 6 on the Ultimate).
    Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a distinctive subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, characterized by fever and arthritis, often accompanied by rash, according to the National Institute of Health.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025
  • He was charged with first-degree grand theft vehicle and taken to a juvenile corrections center.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2025.

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