Definition of mundanenext
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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

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 mundane These days we are surrounded by ghosts and gossamer visions vying for our attention, trying to tell us something vital—or as mundane as to shut up already, like in my case. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The tech world believes the next big thing involves personalized AI agents that can take on mundane tasks like updating a calendar, making purchases, responding to emails and even making phone calls. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026 There’s actually a wonderfully mundane reason for that breezy length. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026 But the incidents revealed by Transluce on Wednesday showed AI agents apparently going rogue earlier and during much more mundane tasks. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mundane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mundane
Adjective
  • The Sun in your private 12th House opposes Saturn in your 6th, creating tension between the need to withdraw and the demands of everyday life.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The self-regulation of the financial industry shows it can be done, as organizations like FINRA contributed to the democratization of finance that benefits everyday investors.
    — William R. Gruver, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The team tested whether the hardware could distinguish temporal patterns using four consecutive input signals that could each be switched on or off.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Curiously, cobalt was linked with a small rise in amyloid-beta proteins in the inferior temporal cortex.
    — Mike McRae August 31, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • While biomimicking a marine animal may seem like an obvious route for innovative design with underwater vehicles and buildings, the team’s approach also applies to terrestrial buildings.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and turned soil into the first terrestrial carbon sinks.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Read Full Review Designed to tie in the five elements and the five senses, this Greek idyll is built into a mountain and has a large spherical pool as its physical and spiritual center.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There is humiliation here, claustrophobia, physical vulnerability and an intimacy that occasionally brushes against the erotic.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Vegetable Oils Vegetable and seed oils are some of the richest non-animal dietary sources of CoQ10.
    — Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026
  • Computer models and other non-animal testing methods still aren’t the best available science, critics contend.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • And as his earthly life drew to a close, that belief gave him peace.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Fortunately for us mere mortals, goddess braids are very much an earthly delight.
    — Eden Stuart, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The lounge is a real scene, especially during afternoon tea, when a perfectly coiffed crowd has hushed discussions about worldly matters.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The pair have just been evicted from their apartment, coming home from church to find all of their worldly possessions on the stairs.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • On Wednesday afternoon, she was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center awaiting bond on a charge of domestic battery with great bodily harm.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Yes, this is a metaphor for plague, pollution, bodily corruption.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mundane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mundane. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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