1
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull
viewers were bored by the stale story lines of the new crop of sitcoms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
the sequel is basically a stale remake of the first movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stale
This three-in-one defines, hydrates, and smooths even the thirstiest strands—perfect for reviving a stale blowout or refreshing hair between wash days.
—
Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Feb. 2025
There are strong hints in the six episodes sent to critics that the archetypes and commentary have become, if not stale, very comfortably entrenched.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Beware of stale smells, as there is a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of its salty base.
—Arabella Hau, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
With that said, things also appeared to get stale for Dallas, particularly on offense.
—Jon MacHota, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stale
Annie Blackman, Allure, 14 Feb. 2025
There are strong hints in the six episodes sent to critics that the archetypes and commentary have become, if not stale, very comfortably entrenched.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Beware of stale smells, as there is a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of its salty base.
—Arabella Hau, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
With that said, things also appeared to get stale for Dallas, particularly on offense.
—Jon MacHota, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stale
Adjective
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The whole thing also looks pretty—budget and midrange phones tend to be super boring, but the Pixel 8A has a smart design with a matte rear texture.—
Julian Chokkattu,
WIRED,
28 Feb. 2025
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Buck is a loquacious, glad-handing oaf who has a boring way with a witty story, and is marked for death.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Tragedies can be examined by those outside of its sphere of destruction, but the groundswell of feeling from Mexican viewers and critics is that there was little or no care taken to understand the cultural grief beyond stereotyped spectacle.—
Lucy Ford,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
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Founded by artists who grew up in Maryvale, Salcido said the purpose of Labor is to be the bridge that shows the artistic capacity and potential of Maryvale because the neighborhood is too often stereotyped, underrepresented and ignored.—
David Ulloa Jr,
The Arizona Republic,
6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were the only players to hit that mark at 28 years old.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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In the Pig universe, which has now been running for two decades, George remains two years old and Peppa two years older.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In the skincare world, the best retinol serums are put on a pedestal, touted for their ability to breathe new life into tired, aging skin.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2025
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If Lionel Messi and his teammates seem a bit tired and stiff in their MLS season opener against NYCFC on Saturday night, there is a reasonable explanation.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This Atlético Madrid side is going from strength to strength and is showing little sign of tiring even as the pressure heats up.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
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The first few years of being a parent can be among the most tiring as moms and dads try and often fail to get infants into a regular routine of unbroken sleep at night.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The movie’s a little more hackneyed and obvious now, but its central idea is still an undeniably creepy one: possessed children with pitchforks.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
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Which is a nauseatingly hackneyed and clichéd — not to mention stupefyingly reductive — type of statement to make about any kind of art or entertainment, of course.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
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That reputation began in 70 C.E. when the mineral springs were directed into a massive bathhouse for weary Roman soldiers.—
Cat Sposato,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
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On their way out of town, a Pale Rider on a horse – Death himself – saunters by in front of their car, with Hal giving the weary figure a small, knowing nod.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While there, we were met with a slower pace of life, more affordable off-season rates, and fewer crowds.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2025
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The cut is also gaining ground on the Adult Contemporary chart, only at a much slower pace, which is not unusual for that list.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stale. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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