platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈpla-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce platitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
1
: the quality or state of being dull or insipid
2
: a banal, trite, or stale remark

Examples of platitude in a Sentence

His speech was filled with familiar platitudes about the value of hard work and dedication. “blondes have more fun” is a silly platitude
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Today, vague, upbeat platitudes about future growth, delivered broadcast-style and business-wide, might turn off your best and brightest. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Over the past few years, we’ve been inundated with warnings, predictions, and future-gazing platitudes about the transformative nature of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Tim Clark, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 The typical modern player is a lone, distant figure, emerging to issue platitudes about remaining in the moment, taking it one game at a time, the language itself sanded down to an anodyne pallor. Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024 Some sent warm platitudes, others recommended movies or sent me funny TikToks. Matthew Schnipper, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for platitude 

Word History

Etymology

French, from plat flat, dull

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of platitude was in 1762

Dictionary Entries Near platitude

Cite this Entry

“Platitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platitude. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

platitude

noun
plat·​i·​tude ˈplat-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce platitude (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being dull or not stimulating
2
: an obvious, stale, or shallow remark

More from Merriam-Webster on platitude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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