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
Finally, New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko, a Canadian who’s an alternate captain for the St. Louis Blues, exchanged not-so pleasantries.
—
Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025
Executive producer Joshua Safran admitted that Lively and Meester were business as usual on set without unnecessary pleasantries.
—Tracy Wright, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
Robert De Niro is running out of time in Zero Day opening scene (exclusive)
To his credit, Meyers noted that De Niro did at least try engage some elevator pleasantries.
—EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Cameras captured Trump and Obama, who were seated next to each other, exchanging pleasantries, with Obama laughing at something the incoming and former president was saying.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025
Executive producer Joshua Safran admitted that Lively and Meester were business as usual on set without unnecessary pleasantries.
—Tracy Wright, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
Robert De Niro is running out of time in Zero Day opening scene (exclusive)
To his credit, Meyers noted that De Niro did at least try engage some elevator pleasantries.
—EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Cameras captured Trump and Obama, who were seated next to each other, exchanging pleasantries, with Obama laughing at something the incoming and former president was saying.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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These range from coral restoration in Jamaica to water catchments for schools in Grenada and marine conservation education in Antigua—and even seemingly small gestures that can have a big impact, like supplying technology to an elementary school in the Bahamas.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Mar. 2025
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Israel's spy agency lists failures in preventing Oct. 7 attack Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said in a statement the group would release Alexander, who is alive, and the bodies of four dual nationals as an initial gesture.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Conan O'Brien Named Host Of The 2025 Oscars By Megan Cartwright Deputy Entertainment Editor Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Conan O'Brien revealed on his podcast that part of his Oscars promo joke was cut by the Academy.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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Kimmel’s feud with Damon, meanwhile, is an ongoing joke that began when Jimmy Kimmel Live was in its early years.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Towson trimmed the deficit to 49-42 with 13:04 remaining courtesy of an 8-2 burst.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2025
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Jacob and Sophie’s teacher realizes there’s a problem, and puts together an impromptu lesson on basic courtesy in bathrooms.—
Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman,
TIME,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even if real life divorce is not that funny, this comic take on divorce is set to offer some welcome laughs.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Garner and Affleck came together to celebrate their youngest child's 13th birthday at a paintball party for Samuel on March 2, where they were seen sharing a laugh and hug.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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