insipid

adjective

in-ˈsi-pəd How to pronounce insipid (audio)
Definition of insipidnext
1
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor an apple pie with a mushy, insipid filling that strongly resembled soggy cardboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
lacking in qualities that make for spirit and character an insipid and somewhat boring movie about teenagers in love

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insipid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of insipid are banal, flat, inane, jejune, and vapid. While all these words mean "devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character," insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest.

an insipid romance with platitudes on every page

When is banal a more appropriate choice than insipid?

In some situations, the words banal and insipid are roughly equivalent. However, banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy.

a banal tale of unrequited love

When might flat be a better fit than insipid?

The words flat and insipid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 insipid?

The meanings of inane and insipid largely overlap; however, inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality.

an inane interpretation of the play

Where would jejune be a reasonable alternative to insipid?

Although the words jejune and insipid have much in common, jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance.

a jejune and gassy speech

When can vapid be used instead of insipid?

The words vapid and insipid 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 insipid But the insipid Premier League displays that have pushed the club to the lower reaches of the table mean there is a scarcity of belief that such an outcome will come to pass. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 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 Please more of this insipid propaganda. —Matt Slater, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for insipid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insipid
  1. bland
  2. boring
  3. thin
  4. banal
  5. tasteless
  6. dull
  7. tiring
Adjective
  • Out-of-season tomatoes—notoriously pale, mealy, and bland—tend to be tomatoes in name only.
    — Rachel Sugar, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
  • Apparently, the line is bland but also profound and ironic, and all of that whooshes over my head, too, but that’s Saturday.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 19 July 2025
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • Hunter: The Reckoning puts players in the role of regular people who know monsters are real and can’t go back to their old, boring lives.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Take away the road courses or boring ovals and race more street courses.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
Definition of boring
Adjective
  • Cover it with a thin layer of topsoil or compost to cover the seeds.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • The market is thin in run-producing bats, and O'Hearn not only fills that need but is versatile enough to play the corner outfield spots as well.
    — Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • On the first day of class, a student asked an understandably practical and banal question about the professor’s grading policy.
    — Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
  • Here are Kim’s outfits, here are Kim’s diamonds, still as banal as breakfast.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 19 May 2025
Definition of banal
Adjective
  • Their betrayal of their own family was tasteless and tacky.
    — Brie Stimson , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
  • The mere thought of enduring a week or more of watery, tasteless, or bitter coffee can be daunting.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of tasteless
Adjective
  • For organizations looking to unlock efficiency and save their human workforces from dull and repetitive tasks, agents represent an exciting opportunity.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
  • The best vitamin C cleansers can come in handy for this—most are packed with brightening antioxidants and fruit enzymes to gently slough away dull, dead skin and protect it from free radicals.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 July 2025
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • For starters, the daily office routine was more tiring than what I was accustomed to back in Israel.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 July 2025
  • So 22 years ago, when her mother was pregnant with her older sister, the couple made a long and tiring trek across the border to the US.
    — Jennifer Hauser, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Definition of tiring

Browse Nearby Words

insinuations
insipid
insipidity
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Cite this Entry

“Insipid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insipid. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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