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
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—
Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 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
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
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 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
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
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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In 2019, media outlet Genius produced a video noting that while NLE Choppa and YoungBoy Never Broke Again use the term and gesture, it was first popularized by Young Thug.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
28 Mar. 2025
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Several subreddits banned links to X after the tech billionaire made a Nazi salute-like gesture at a Trump inauguration event.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Corden, as the event’s emcee, made some uncomfortable jokes about the Dow dropping 2200 points last Friday.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2025
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These jokes referenced economic news of the past week.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The deep space asteroid that recently made headlines for its potential to collide with Earth received its own photoshoot courtesy of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 Apr. 2025
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The very act of looking up from your phone or notes can signal courtesy and enthusiasm.—
Bala Sathyanarayanan,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In a bit role, Morgan McGhee delivers big laughs with her loopy take as a newscaster.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2025
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The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast co-host was spotted sharing a laugh with his daughter Mia and his niece Savannah Phillips on Christmas at Sandringham in December 2024, joining the royals for church on the holiday.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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