Stale (5)

I think it could be either:

trite

musty

'stale' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

This is the entire clue.

(Other definitions for musty that I've seen before include "Stale and dank" , "Smelling stale or damp" , "Mouldy; stale-smelling" , "Frowsty" , "Stale, mouldy-smelling" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard, The Star Tribune, the Penny Press and The New York Times.

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