Definition of pabulumnext
as in food
something that maintains or stimulates the intellect we have reached a cultural low if reality television is regarded as pabulum for the masses

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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 pabulum On their face, Grok’s responses seem at least as coherent as some of the bland crisis-management pabulum that comes from prominent figures facing their own controversies. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Jan. 2026 This was culture as interchangeable primetime pabulum; three minutes apiece for the acts to impress the new judges and boost sales. Mike McCahill, Variety, 8 May 2023 Twitter account, which spouted pabulum about the decency of the human spirit, became extremely popular. New York Times, 17 Nov. 2021 Try to imagine Britain’s prime minister rallying his nation to fight the Nazi war machine armed with this progressive pabulum. Joseph Loconte, National Review, 9 Sep. 2020 His onscreen counterpart in the film adaptation of this story, Memoir of a Murderer, trades in this complexity for more standard antihero pabulum (his only desire is to keep Eunhui safe). Alana Mohamed, The Atlantic, 11 June 2019 The pabulum that passes for most reviews is an insult to the intelligence of most readers. Christian Lorentzen, Harper's magazine, 10 Apr. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pabulum
Noun
  • Drought conditions are also fueling devastating, costly wildfires and reducing crop yields, threatening to push up food prices.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Something extraordinary these episodes illustrate, in our view, is the vulnerability of America’s highly interconnected fresh-food supply chain, in which one grower or supplier problem can ripple astonishingly far.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Born in Mexico to a left-wing Catalan family, Adela’s spiritual and intellectual formation came from her grandparents, while her emotional nourishment was the realm of the housekeeper/nanny Paula (Teresita Sánchez).
    Jay Weissberg, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Horses didn’t survive 56 million years by adding more tasks to their days or overworking to get nourishment, protection, or social connections.
    Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

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“Pabulum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pabulum. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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