as in cliché
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
"blondes have more fun" is a silly platitude
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Recent Examples of platitude
However, before long creators were posting eerily similar content heaping praise on the official response, while regurgitating platitudes about the UAE’s steadfast leadership.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
But for UConn, the platitudes feel profoundly honest.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Donovan reiterated a series of platitudes that haven’t changed during his time with the Bulls.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
For Hankins-Biggers and her team, espousing empty platitudes isn’t enough.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platitude
Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
But for UConn, the platitudes feel profoundly honest.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Donovan reiterated a series of platitudes that haven’t changed during his time with the Bulls.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
For Hankins-Biggers and her team, espousing empty platitudes isn’t enough.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for platitude
Noun
-
His deep arsenal gives him a chance to handle a truism of the craft.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
-
Ever since, intelligence officers have ruefully invoked that truism whenever they’re blamed for a major screwup.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other testing by the state’s environmental quality department found elevated levels of heavy metals commonly found in oil field wastewater including barium and bromide.—
Nick Bowlin,
ProPublica,
18 May 2026
-
The bromide invites teachers to underestimate their students.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the last few decades, that swagger seems to have collapsed under the weight of a tepid banality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
One effect of this austerity and repression is to focus attention on Albee’s language, with its slippery banalities and barbs.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield offered an observation that has since become a Washington commonplace.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
18 May 2026
-
Or is this commonplace in NBA transactions?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Some, but not all, of those tropes are present in Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s behind-the-scenes drama The Beloved (El Ser Querido), which manages to add a few welcome twists to the formula.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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The highlight, taking over most of the gallery space on 19th Street, is new paintings by Lisa Yuskavage, a brilliant inversion of the studio painting trope, looking as potent as anything she’s ever made.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
What’s that famous saying about hell hath no fury?—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 May 2026
-
Sets come in half-dozens and include designs like a soccer ball, a flag, celebratory sayings in the language and a jersey, according to its website.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
May 15,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Platitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/platitude. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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