HO HUM Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

ho-hum 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhō-ˈhəm

Definition of ho-hum

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

as in boo

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Dissimilar Words

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

Indeed, Hank hurts lots of people in this action-comedy that doesn’t prove boring for a second but has trouble managing its disparate tones.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Ma brings a happy zeal — and an artist’s eye for detail — to creating a sense of wonder, fantasy and futuristic freedom in a world limited by boring, rational constraints.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of boring

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

Definition of boo

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

Definition of shucks

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

Definition of tiring

Adjective

Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of dull

Adjective

Video games are one of the world’s most dominant storytelling mediums, yet the writing is often dismissed — not always unfairly — as melodramatic, overly serious and occasionally very stupid.

— Gene Park, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
Bonnell The enthusiast’s approach Bonnell’s team uses matters because electric motorcycles have an annoying tendency to make power delivery either spectacularly good or spectacularly stupid.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of stupid

Adjective

Fall is the perfect time to revive summer-weary lawns by aerating and overseeding.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Mozeliak has no idea whether Kroenke might invite him to stay, but for now the plan of rebuilding the team and reorganizing the front office remains on course, in the interest of serving fans weary and frustrated after 12 consecutive losing seasons.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of weary

Browse Nearby Words

hog wild

ho-hum

ho hum

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Cite this Entry

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“Ho-hum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ho-hum. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ho-hum

adjective

interjection

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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