1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a leaden performance of a classic American play that nearly put us to sleep

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

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 leaden The subtext becomes text, and the film isn’t quite scary enough to make up for its mostly leaden message. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025 But Betancourt’s approach feels leaden with reference and citation, too often leaning on a catalog of cultural properties to advance an argument that is, at its heart, empirical. Jake Nevins, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Humor — both black and camp — is the key here, unlike the often-leaden film which relied on special effects rather than a sharp script and knowing comic direction for its wow factor. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024 For a movie whose chief anthem is an advertisement for the joys of defying gravity, Wicked is surprisingly leaden, with a promise of more of the same to come. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for leaden
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leaden
Adjective
  • Some people assume that longtime married couples are boring, but my husband has never bored me.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
  • Spectators perceive tennis outfits as plain, boring, rigid or limited to a specific silhouette.
    Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • The dour, grey mood of the show is lightened by plenty of moments of humor.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Brand, 49, was arraigned at Southwark Crown Court in London at 10.30 a.m. local time on Friday, May 30, wearing dark sunglasses, a grey suit and an unbuttoned shirt.
    Phil Boucher, People.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Here in Croatia, the pace of life is slower, especially in smaller towns.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • Still, even if the growth is slower than in some North American leagues, European teams continue to appreciate.
    Justin Teitelbaum, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Snag it in three colors — blue, back, or gray — to match your existing decor.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Witnesses described him as a white male with salt-and-pepper hair, driving a silver or gray Chevy Malibu.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Santa Monica residents go to war against Waymo There’s a battle brewing in Santa Monica with a fleet of unmanned, electric Waymo vehicles on one side, and exhausted, weary locals on the other.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • Reed thin and blonde, with the slouch of a weary royal, Kjær spent Tuesday afternoon directing his troops: five amateur dancers, recruited from clubs, who will perform at an opening on Saturday in a piece modeled on the firework displays at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • One remarkable find stood out from all the rest: a collection of ancient silver treasures.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
  • The silver vehicle then hit the 84-year-old woman, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • The bittersweet result didn’t dull a remarkable career and legacy for Kelly.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • But the drama can be very stolid, borderline dull at times.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • These guys have been touring for decades, never tiring of playing the hits even while steadily putting out albums full of new material.
    Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 2 June 2025
  • Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle sustains this tiring play style by deploying a 10-man rotation, allowing his players to stay fresh throughout high-intensity games.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Leaden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leaden. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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