1
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
"how are you" is merely a social pleasantry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
There was no discussion, even, of the rainy weather, and few pleasantries were exchanged.
—
Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
But when every conversation begins with pleasantries, momentum suffers.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Clark reciprocated pleasantries, though nothing was more eye-catching than her 3-point barrage late in the first quarter.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Backstage, Nikki Bella shared pleasantries with Natalya, Maxxine Dupri and Iyo Sky.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
But when every conversation begins with pleasantries, momentum suffers.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Clark reciprocated pleasantries, though nothing was more eye-catching than her 3-point barrage late in the first quarter.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Backstage, Nikki Bella shared pleasantries with Natalya, Maxxine Dupri and Iyo Sky.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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Some posed for photos, others made rude gestures, and many simply stared.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
27 July 2025
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Before Lopez could really respond to the gesture, the skirt fell to the ground, leaving Lopez on stage in a shiny pair of gold underwear.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
27 July 2025
Noun
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According to the site, there were allegedly posts that included fat-shaming and rape jokes, among other topics via the Q&A platform Curious Cat.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
24 July 2025
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Chinese officials in the eastern province of Zhejiang have put stand-up comics on notice to avoid jokes that could fuel resentment between the sexes.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Noun
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The Emmy Award-winning actress’ look came courtesy of Gucci’s 2026 cruise collection.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
1 Aug. 2025
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In this image released by the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin, the Navy's variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight on February 11, 2011, over Chesapeake Bay in the mid-Atlantic.—
Anna Commander
Robert Birsel
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Noun
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Watch the scene where the three men stop at a bar in D.C. Meadows laughs for the first time — a shy, honest laugh.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 July 2025
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Nixon’s spirit drew appreciative laughs from the crowd throughout the competition.—
Calista Oetama,
Sacbee.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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