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Definition of commonplacenext
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commonplace

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noun

as in cliché
an idea or expression that has been used by many people the familiar summertime commonplace that "It's not the heat, it's the humidity"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of commonplace
Adjective
The two-week turnaround from the Derby to the Preakness, which used to be commonplace, is considered a nonstarter for many trainers and owners given that most elite thoroughbreds now typically go a month or more between races. Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026 Yet cross-cultural influence continues to be a key subject of art history, and quotation is still a commonplace practice in contemporary art. Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Noun
The department was being assisted by a number of other state, local and federal agencies in the investigation, something Butler stated as commonplace for such cases. Shelly Conlon, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 23 Mar. 2026 Such double-headers are far from commonplace in English football, but are becoming more frequent. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commonplace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonplace
Adjective
  • After replanting, or if the roots look normal, keep the soil moist.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
  • But not the average, normal citizen workers.
    Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • With the tank now ubiquitous on the battlefield, WWII would see countless tank battles, including the greatest tank battle of all.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
  • Among the suit’s contention is that her own site and posts have been pushed down in search results by Swift’s ubiquitous branding.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Kelly Enders-Tharp, a three-time surrogate and education and experience specialist at Growing Generations, explains that surrogates are often stereotyped, or that their backgrounds are misrepresented.
    Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Later, Lenape artist Joe Baker places cutout photographs of his ancestors over the stereotyped images of Native Americans found in the wallpaper.
    Tom McDonough, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • By evening, the Aries Moon moves through your 9th House of Expansion, stirring adventure, passion, and plans that stretch beyond the ordinary.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • But there is a big difference between ordinary political competition and a coordinated national effort to purge state lawmakers for exercising independent judgment on a matter before their own legislature.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • The irony is that Ashby was the stand-in for France’s usual wing trimmer, the British sailor Leigh McMillan, who is still recovering from an injury at the Auckland SailGP event in February.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026
  • But Brunson, as usual, was sublime, wrong-footing the 76ers over and over with his staccato moves and magnetized shots.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • Satonica credited Burse with reviving Grady’s professional governance, noticing tired nurses and overwhelmed leaders.
    Laura Berrios, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
  • Gee, can't imagine why fans were tired of Mark Hamill towards the end!
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Ever since, intelligence officers have ruefully invoked that truism whenever they’re blamed for a major screwup.
    Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
  • But, travel experts say, that truism doesn't apply during this tumultuous period.
    ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The typical lifespan of a tire pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS) battery is about 7–10 years.
    Hartford Courant, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • At NBCUniversal’s upfront on May 11, as has become typical for this time of year, Bravo flooded the zone.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commonplace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonplace. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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