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Synonym Chooser

How is the word banal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of banal are flat, inane, insipid, jejune, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

When might flat be a better fit than banal?

The synonyms flat and banal are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 banal?

Although the words inane and banal have much in common, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

When is insipid a more appropriate choice than banal?

While in some cases nearly identical to banal, insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When is it sensible to use jejune instead of banal?

While the synonyms jejune and banal are close in meaning, jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When would vapid be a good substitute for banal?

The words vapid and banal can be used in similar contexts, but vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit.

an exciting story given a vapid treatment

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 banal As the handful of creature types repeat, the battles become banal. Harold Goldberg, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 And their replacement represents an increasingly dismal view of the city’s future — dull, uninspired and thoughtlessly banal. Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025 Their activities might seem banal — carrying a bag of groceries filled with fruits and vegetables, or a fluffy white cat — but the sharp color coordination and gussied up models give the images a psychedelic feel. Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025 As the handful of creature types repeat, the battles become banal. Harold Goldberg, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for banal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for banal
Adjective
  • No more boring, irrelevant training modules—this is learning at the speed of work.
    Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Some of this may happen under cover of darkness, but much of it happens in the open, under cover of arcane technocracy or boring bureaucracy.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Not to mention that relying solely on transactional benefits makes loyalty programs feel bland and, quite frankly, interchangeable.
    Zsuzsa Kecsmar, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And sadly, nasal congestion that occurs in space affects their sense of smell and makes food taste bland up there.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • 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
  • Bored of an increasingly insipid Premier League season?
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The framing, blocking, and overall visual grammar have a condescending air, as if directors have surrendered to some insipid idea of who their audience is.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But people here are tired of seeing Farmington in the headlines as a town that's losing population.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • And there’s kids who are tired, or crying or can’t handle it.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Designed for Uncertainty – And the Next Economic Landscape Think defense stocks are dull?
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, early American industrial work was demanding, dull, and dangerous.
    Made by History, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Female astronauts have become commonplace enough that the fact that the crew is composed entirely of women doesn’t immediately cause a sensation.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Tory Burch chose color-blocking as the preferred mode of expression and took commonplace pieces to new heights (a sequined swimsuit was the talk of the town after the label’s runway presentation).
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • View 6 Images Reading and writing on regular tablets can be tiring for your eyes, which is where E Ink can help.
    Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Ultimately, many on the internet have identified this week as a particularly tiring one for Black K-pop fans.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Banal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/banal. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on banal

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