When you encounter a crossword clue like "boring synonym," there are several words that could potentially fit.
1. Tedious
- Meaning: "Tedious" means something that is long, slow, and dull. It implies a sense of boredom that comes from having to endure a task or an activity that seems to drag on and lacks any real excitement or interest. For example, a "tedious lecture" is one that is so dry and unengaging that it feels like it's taking forever to end.
- Crossword Clue Suitability: This word is a great fit for a crossword clue because it's a common enough word that crossword solvers should be familiar with. It's also a precise synonym for "boring" that can be used in a wide range of contexts, such as describing a book, a job, or a journey.
2. Dull
- Meaning: "Dull" has a few different meanings, but in the context of being a synonym for "boring," it refers to something that is lacking in sharpness, vividness, or interest. A "dull movie" doesn't have an exciting plot or engaging characters, and a "dull party" is one where there's not much energy or entertainment.
- Crossword Clue Suitability: It's a relatively short and straightforward word, which makes it a good option for a crossword. It's also a very versatile synonym that can be used to describe both objects and experiences as being uninteresting.
3. Monotonous
- Meaning: "Monotonous" means having a continuous and unvarying tone or pattern, which often leads to a sense of boredom. If you think of a "monotonous sound," like a dripping faucet, it's the same noise over and over again, and that's how it can be used to describe activities or things that are repetitive and dull. For example, "a monotonous job" might involve doing the same task repeatedly without any variation.
- Crossword Clue Suitability: This word is a bit more complex than "dull" or "tedious," but it's still a recognizable synonym for "boring." It's a good choice for a crossword clue in a more challenging puzzle, as it requires the solver to think about the idea of something being unvarying and dull.
4. Humdrum
- Meaning: "Humdrum" means lacking excitement or variety, and it's often used to describe ordinary, everyday things that are a bit dull. A "humdrum life" might be one that follows the same routine day in and day out without any real highlights.
- Crossword Clue Suitability: It's an interesting and somewhat less - common synonym for "boring." Using it as a crossword clue can add a bit of variety to the puzzle and challenge the solver to recall a less - frequently - used word that still means the same as "boring."
5. Dreary
- Meaning: "Dreary" means dull, gloomy, and cheerless. It's often used to describe a place, a situation, or an atmosphere that makes you feel down or bored. For example, a "dreary landscape" might be a gray, flat expanse with nothing interesting to look at.
- Crossword Clue Suitability: It's a vivid - sounding word that can bring to mind a particular kind of boring - one that's also a bit depressing. As a crossword clue, it can help the solver think of a synonym that has a stronger emotional connotation than some of the other options.