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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

Examples 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 No matter which warm drink is your go-to, a fun mug turns an otherwise mundane activity into a full experience. Samantha Sutton, StyleCaster, 18 Oct. 2024 These mundane tasks and long hours of repetitive training culminate in competitive outbursts where careers are made and broken. Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 By Matteo Wong Photographs by Jenn Ackerman When Melissa Kono, the town clerk in Burnside, Wisconsin, began training election workers in 2015, their questions were relatively mundane. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024 But perhaps those men are responding to something more mundane: Median weekly wages for full-time Black workers rose steeply during Donald Trump’s presidency and essentially stagnated under Biden, according to data from the St. Louis Fed. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mundane 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mundane
Adjective
  • But just as the price of everyday goods began growing a little more slowly, likely tariffs from a second Trump administration could destabilize recent disinflation.
    Melvin Backman, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Torii gates are iconic structures that mark the boundary between the everyday and the sacred at Shinto shrines across Japan.
    Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This technique, called transcranial temporal interference electric stimulation (tTIS), non-invasively sends pulses into the brain without causing discomfort to the patient.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Such temporal variability only reinforced the Republican belief that the count was unfair.
    Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • These developments underscore the ongoing collaboration between satellite and terrestrial providers to shape a robust ecosystem for road mobility, enhancing both safety and efficiency in the connected transportation industry.
    Will Townsend, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
  • That is in total conflict with a century of continually developing fish and wildlife science to guide the management of these species and their aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
    Grant Gelhardt, Sun Sentinel, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Collins has introduced several changes meant to monetize the business, including subscriptions, organized live events, and bringing back physical copies of the paper and its television parody, the Onion News Network.
    Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Animal lovers will enjoy horseback riding or visiting one of the area’s animal sanctuaries.
    Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023
  • Smoothies are an easy way to incorporate more non-animal protein into your diet.
    Amy Stanford, Health, 27 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • To better their condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 27 Sep. 2024
  • Otherworldly ambitions, though, can come with earthly costs.
    Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • One of many reasons for this relates to hormone regulation, and sleep is critical for releasing and creating important hormones in the body for proper bodily functions.
    Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
  • About 571 were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 164 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
    Louis Jacobson, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The couple were first romantically linked in 2020 and have publicly documented their relationship, worldly travels and White’s Olympic farewell on their social media pages ever since.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
  • The following day, Mercury will enter your worldly territory, sparking your curiosity and desire to express yourself more openly.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mundane

Cite this Entry

“Mundane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mundane. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mundane

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