lame

Examples

• All

• It's like flavoring my water, as lame as that sounds, but it's true.

• Maybe in a few years it'll be commercial and lame, but for now we're having a lot of fun.

  Academic text (2007)

• The whole thing's just kind of sad and lame at the same time.

  Fiction book (1999)

• His list is so lame; my father would like most of it.

  Fiction book (1999)

• No, this isn't some lame get rich quick scheme.

• "Shoot some hoops at my house?" I finally say, knowing it's a lame alternative.

  Fiction book (1998)

• As your writing vocabulary grows, you'll replace your own lame analysis with better advice.

  Academic text (2009)

• Finally, girls linked ethnic identity and music choices to prom, sharing concerns about "lame music" and "bad DJs."

  Academic text (2014)

• I tried using a new argument, but it sounded really lame and didn't convince anyone.

• The movie had a lame plot twist that left the audience feeling disappointed.

Synonyms

S

so lame

vslame

• Slang

28 9.5

Very unfunny and not impressive, so people feel disappointed

applies instead to weak, unconvincing arguments or disappointing excuses

F

feeble

vslame

27 3.7

Not strong or effective in producing results

focuses more on being pathetically unconvincing or disappointing than plain weakness

F

flimsy

vslame

19 4.6

Weak and not convincing as an excuse or argument

stresses pathetic lack of force or conviction rather than only credibility

R

really lame

vslame

• Informal

5 7.5

A reason or explanation that is very weak and not believable

is milder and simply means weak or disappointing without extra emphasis

Antonyms

P

powerful

∞ 1.7

Having great physical strength, like a strong machine or person

C

convincing

195 3.4

That makes someone believe something is true

Idioms

S

so lame

• Slang

28 9.5

Very unfunny and not impressive, so people feel disappointed

H

to help a lame dog over a stile

• Informal

9.9

To do something kind for a person in trouble

Compounds

L

lame duck

• Literature

30 7.4

An elected leader still in office who has lost real power

R

really lame

• Informal

5 7.5

A reason or explanation that is very weak and not believable

L

lame dog

• Offensive

8.3

A person who is weak or needs help

L

lame response

• Informal

5.3

A weak answer that does not explain or convince

How Convincing

persuasive

99 3.9

lame

• Offensive

350 6.8

unconvincing

11 5.1

pathetic

• Offensive

702 3.9

Surface Forms

Etymology