leaden
adjective
lead·en ˈle-dᵊn 
1
a
: made of lead
b
: of the color of lead : dull gray
2
a
: oppressively heavy
b
: sluggish
c
: lacking spirit or animation
leadenly adverb
leadenness
ˈle-dᵊn-(n)əs
noun 
Synonyms
- arid
- boring
- colorless
- drab
- dreary
- drudging
- dry
- dull
- dusty
- flat
- heavy
- ho-hum
- humdrum
- jading
- jejune
- mind-numbing
- monochromatic
- monotonous
- numbing
- old
- pedestrian
- ponderous
- slow
- stale
- stodgy
- stuffy
- stupid
- tame
- tedious
- tiresome
- tiring
- uninteresting
- wearisome
- weary
- wearying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a leaden performance of a classic American play that nearly put us to sleep the leaden sky made everything seem dark and depressing
Recent Examples on the Web Under a leaden sky in Paktika province, the epicenter of Wednesday’s earthquake where hundreds of homes have been destroyed, men dug several long trenches on a mountainside overlooking their village. 
Ebrahim Noroozi, ajc, 23 June 2022 After millennia bemoaning leaden skies and constant drizzle, Britons took to complaining about the heat with aplomb; actually coping with Saharan-like temperatures came less naturally. Rosa Prince, CNN, 20 July 2022 Sources of support Back at the Denny’s parking lot, the sky had turned leaden gray, and Mckenzie bummed a cigarette from her best friend, Christina Bojorquez. Gale Hollandstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 As for Tepper, his own audition for the leaden police officer Samuels still hung in the air. Bridget Arsenault, Forbes, 10 July 2022 Lengronne’s sublime performance adds levity to a character that could have too easily been leaden. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 But many of us may wish for our 70-degree days without the leaden skies above. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 15 May 2022 The show understands drama as ominous scores, leaden dialogue, and unnecessary cliffhangers. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2022 The flashy performances are a tribute to the actors’ talent—especially Gyllenhaal, González, Dillahunt, and O’Donnell, who conjure a sense of spin on leaden absurdities. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2022 See More
Ebrahim Noroozi, ajc, 23 June 2022 After millennia bemoaning leaden skies and constant drizzle, Britons took to complaining about the heat with aplomb; actually coping with Saharan-like temperatures came less naturally. Rosa Prince, CNN, 20 July 2022 Sources of support Back at the Denny’s parking lot, the sky had turned leaden gray, and Mckenzie bummed a cigarette from her best friend, Christina Bojorquez. Gale Hollandstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 As for Tepper, his own audition for the leaden police officer Samuels still hung in the air. Bridget Arsenault, Forbes, 10 July 2022 Lengronne’s sublime performance adds levity to a character that could have too easily been leaden. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 But many of us may wish for our 70-degree days without the leaden skies above. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 15 May 2022 The show understands drama as ominous scores, leaden dialogue, and unnecessary cliffhangers. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2022 The flashy performances are a tribute to the actors’ talent—especially Gyllenhaal, González, Dillahunt, and O’Donnell, who conjure a sense of spin on leaden absurdities. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
leaden
adjective
lead·en ˈle-dᵊn
1
: made of lead
2
: feeling heavy and difficult to move
leaden feet
3
: of a dull gray color
a leaden sky
leaden
adjective
1
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest a leaden performance of a classic American play that nearly put us to sleep Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- boring
- dull
- slow
- weary
- tiring
- heavy
- wearying
- dusty
- stupid
- old
- dry
- ponderous
- drab
- monotonous
- pedestrian
- wearisome
- pallid
- uninteresting
- stodgy
- stale
- drudging
- annoying
- arid
- irritating
- tiresome
- humdrum
- colorless
- tedious
- stuffy
- dreary
- tame
- numbing
- flat
- jejune
- jading
- monochromatic
- sterile
- prosaic
- spiritless
- prosy
- gray
- mind-numbing
- unimaginative
- ho-hum
- soggy
- exhausting
- blah
- barren
- dullish
- blank
- uninspiring
- inanimate
- draining
- unexciting
- earthbound
- enervating
- unrewarding
- irksome
- grey
- plodding
- uneventful
- pedantic
- aseptic
- unspectacular
- wearing
- unsensational
- fatiguing
- debilitating
- cumbersome
- tepid
- ordinary
- undramatic
- enfeebling
- lumbering
- vapid
- bothersome
- dispiriting
- palling
- pokey
- suspenseless
- discouraging
- demoralizing
- unexceptional
- poky
- common
- commonplace
- unnewsworthy
- pleasureless
- unsurprising
- disheartening
- longsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gripping
- involving
- interesting
- engaging
- engrossing
- absorbing
- riveting
- intriguing
- rousing
- wondrous
- spectacular
- marvellous
- amusing
- surprising
- sensational
- stirring
- exhilarating
- stimulating
- astonishing
- marvelous
- thrilling
- wonderful
- inspiring
- energizing
- electrifying
- galvanizing
- astounding
- entertaining
- moving
- amazing
- breathtaking
- enlivening
- animating
- awesome
- exciting
- touching
- poignant
- entrancing
- charming
- beguiling
- attractive
- invigorating
- enthralling
- fabulous
- bewitching
- enchanting
- diverting
- alluring
- rip-roaring
- fascinating
- attracting
- spellbinding
- hair-raising
- captivating
- suspenseful
- eye-opening
- tantalizing
- provocative
- mesmerizing
- arresting
2
as in gray
of the color gray the leaden sky made everything seem dark and depressing Synonyms & Similar Words
- gray
- grey
- silver
- grayish
- silvery
- slate
- faded
- pale
- white
- dull
- slaty
- pewter
- steely
- slatey
- argentine
- neutral
- sandy
- whitish
- ashen
- colorless
- dirty
- chalky
- achromatic
- ashy
- sad
- chocolate
- hoary
- washed-out
- palish
- livid
- grizzled
- sepia
- mousy
- hoar
- brindled
- dun
- mousey
- brindle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deep
- bright
- rich
- colored
- gay
- varicolored
- chromatic
- colorful
- multicolored
- variegated
- ablaze
- polychromatic
- polychrome
- motley