prosaic

adjective

prō-ˈzā-ik How to pronounce prosaic (audio)
Definition of prosaicnext
1
as in ordinary
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events an author with a knack for finding something of interest in the most prosaic details of suburban life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mundane
having to do with the practical details of regular life my job at the TV station dealt with the much more prosaic business of cleaning the floors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 prosaic His plan, scheduled for a vote at the Beach commission on Wednesday after two years of often-intense debate and revision, comes in the prosaic form of a technical zoning change. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 Populist theatrics, divorced from the prosaic work of consensus-building and problem-solving, degenerate into political escapism. — Will Marshall, Washington Post, 18 July 2026 Nolan, energized by the self-restraining power of modern morality, turns an epic poem prosaic. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 In 2024 this broad ethic of democracy came into conflict with a more prosaic politic. — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for prosaic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prosaic
  1. ordinary
  2. mundane
  3. normal
  4. usual
  5. typical
  6. commonplace
  7. average
Adjective
  • However, the record does not establish that the configuration is suitable for ordinary motorcycle use on water or for routine amphibious transportation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the camera, Avani Rai shot about 130 people comprising ordinary Indians, dancers, models, and artisans, as well as her mother and actor Ranveer Singh against the streets of Old Delhi and its flower market and crowded alleyways.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Natalie Dattilo Psychologist Between regular exposure to the mundane and increased access to everything else, worries stack — and so does stress and anxiety.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Even Santos’ mundane stories sound like character-building arcs in a rugged epic, never mind the ones involving animal run-ins.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of mundane
Adjective
  • It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.
    — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • However, the test took place entirely on urban roads in mild weather, conditions that favour EV efficiency and do not reflect typical highway driving or winter use.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The One Block Down x Air Max 95 OG Big Bubble Lux features a full premium leather upper, replacing all of the typical Air Max 95 materials including its signature synthetic suede and mesh.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Strikes in France, particularly student strikes, are commonplace and go on all the time.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Murmurs of surprises and spoilers—commonplace for blockbusters but hardly typical for documentaries—spread like wildfire in the lead-up to the release.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of commonplace
Adjective
  • But even just our average rainfall, that's typically when the lake recharges is during the winter and early spring.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • But, sea level rise is pushing them higher and higher, and experts say these higher-than-usual tides offer a taste of what an average day could look like in decades to comes, when seas are a few feet higher.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of average

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prosaic
prosaist
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Cite this Entry

“Prosaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prosaic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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