1
as in courtesies
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 jokes
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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Recent Examples of pleasantries
Within the span of five minutes, Samantha had skipped pleasantries and knew all about my three Italian mothers (my mother and her sisters), my current complicated situationship, and my dreams of becoming a writer.
—
Sara Sturek, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
But before that, some pleasantries were exchanged.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Before long, small-town pleasantries are tangled into a web of violent criminal behavior and erotic physical desire.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
Demi Moore, in Giorgio Armani, exchanged pleasantries with Miles Teller.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 2 Mar. 2025
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
Brown saluted Hegseth as his motorcade arrived, then shook his hand as the two exchanged pleasantries.
—Matt Seyler, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Sara Sturek, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
But before that, some pleasantries were exchanged.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Before long, small-town pleasantries are tangled into a web of violent criminal behavior and erotic physical desire.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
Demi Moore, in Giorgio Armani, exchanged pleasantries with Miles Teller.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 2 Mar. 2025
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
Brown saluted Hegseth as his motorcade arrived, then shook his hand as the two exchanged pleasantries.
—Matt Seyler, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantries. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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