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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mundane distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words earthly and worldly are common synonyms of mundane. While all three words mean "belonging to or characteristic of the earth," mundane suggests reference to the immediate and practical.

a mundane discussion of finances

In what contexts can earthly take the place of mundane?

While in some cases nearly identical to mundane, earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual.

abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent

How are the words worldly and mundane related?

Worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification.

worldly goods

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 mundane Infused into his mundane, bluesy trap music is a lone wolf spirit that comes from being an only child whose father was incarcerated for most of his childhood and whose mother worked into the night. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 18 July 2025 Smiling, eye contact and small talk should be kept to a minimum and be strictly mundane. Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025 There will, of course, be speculation that the Microsoft Outlook outage is cyberattack related, but the reality is likely to be more mundane. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 The design of social media has discouraged casual posting, with metrics that make users feel inadequate for not getting enough attention, and with algorithmic feeds that prioritize popular accounts that post constantly—not mundane moments but punditry, provocation, and self-promotion. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mundane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mundane
Adjective
  • Shoppers agree that these pants would be cute and comfortable for everyday activities beyond the trails.
    Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The Amazon Essentials product line offering everyday low prices continues to gain new adherents and now represents one out of every three units sold.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • By fusing spiritual and temporal power, the period’s absurd-seeming battles over mystical doctrine—was the blood truly present in the chalice, or merely indicated in it?—were inseparable from struggles for worldly authority.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
  • The actors don’t visibly age, thereby reminding the audience of time’s passage; the characters themselves often exist in a temporal bubble, where Bart Simpson is forever in fourth grade and Bikini Bottom remains on the ocean floor.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • The airship will carry the same type of base station used in terrestrial cell towers (called 4G eNodeB/5G gNodeB), which will comply with global broadband standards, as overseen by the Third Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP.
    Maurizio Arseni, IEEE Spectrum, 31 July 2025
  • Without dominance in orbit, terrestrial forces would be deaf, blind, and largely immobile.
    Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • But he’s been airing these issues in public all year, to the point where rumors ran rampant about his mental and physical stability.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2025
  • In fact, his fade gave off the air of a mental rather than a physical difficulty, reminiscent of last year, when his trainer Pletcher’s pulling him from the 2024 Triple Crown series after his 15th place showing in the Kentucky Derby.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 paved the way for alternatives to animal testing, and in December 2023, an NIH advisory committee made similar recommendations to develop non-animal methods.
    Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025
  • Rendering is a process that transforms animal by-products, like leftover meat and fats...and yes, chicken feet, into usable materials, such as animal feed, fuel, and other industrial products.
    Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The values of Superman’s earthly home extend to his heroics on an international stage.
    Samantha Baskind, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
  • With this caution in mind, what were St. Augustine’s views regarding earthly policy?
    Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Slaughter is facing 14 charges, including vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury and driving while licenses revoked, according to court documents.
    Luke Chinman, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • However, interest and punitive damages are always taxable, even in wrongful death or serious bodily injury cases.
    Robert W. Wood, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • This new reading revises not only the phrases quoted in the sermon, but also the entire Song of Wade, centering the hero amid worldly dangers rather than mythical beasts.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
  • Housed at Doctor Who and Industry producer Bad Wolf, Game of Thrones star Varma and Richard Coyle (Heads of State) are set as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mary’s worldly aunt and uncle.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mundane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mundane. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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