1
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
"how are you" is merely a social pleasantry
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2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleasantry
At the end of the day, as my family shared pictures and pleasantries from our morning together, the group text really just wanted the casserole recipe.
—
Brennan Long, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.
—Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Brown saluted Hegseth as his motorcade arrived, then shook his hand as the two exchanged pleasantries.
—Matt Seyler, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Brennan Long, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.
—Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
Brown saluted Hegseth as his motorcade arrived, then shook his hand as the two exchanged pleasantries.
—Matt Seyler, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
-
Pope Francis has died, and as the tributes pour in — from presidents, cardinals and columnists — the world pauses to remember a man who led with gestures more than grandeur.—
Jack Hill,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Garfield was an actor known for his wide range, capable of a disarming naturalness and with a capacity for carefully nuanced gestures.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after the comedian made a crass joke about his mother and an orangutan.—
Steff Danielle Thomas,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
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While Instagram and TikTok chase global virality, Fizz leans hard into hyper relevance: the inside joke, the anonymous confession, the econ final everyone just bombed.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Derrick White’s layup with 2:31 remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game at 91-91, but the decisive moments came courtesy of Franz Wagner, who answered with his own layup and another basket either side of a crucial miss by Tatum.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
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He's transformed, with a buzz cut, neatly shaven beard and a tan (courtesy of nearly two weeks in the Miami sun).—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That sort of showboating elicits laughs from TV audiences, partly because today's younger shoppers are spending less on pricey goods and more on luxury experiences.—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Sharing good laughs goes a long way to strengthening connections and relationships.—
Liz Guthridge,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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