1
as in slogan
an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product)
we knew that their claim of giving "the best deal in town" was just a shibboleth
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2
as in cliche
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
there's a lot of truth in the shibboleth that if you give some people an inch, they'll take a mile
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shibboleth
Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies.
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WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Nothing is sacrificed to the shibboleth of good taste.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Far from being a shibboleth of evil, the company is like any other trying to turn a profit in the Western world in 2023, which comes with its own issues and frustrations separate from the ones posited by Kristof in his viral article.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
Along with the shibboleth that a failure to dominate encourages cop killing, the nineties study helped implant a second myth in police culture as well—that stopping cars is exceptionally dangerous to officers.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for shibboleth 
WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Nothing is sacrificed to the shibboleth of good taste.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Far from being a shibboleth of evil, the company is like any other trying to turn a profit in the Western world in 2023, which comes with its own issues and frustrations separate from the ones posited by Kristof in his viral article.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
Along with the shibboleth that a failure to dominate encourages cop killing, the nineties study helped implant a second myth in police culture as well—that stopping cars is exceptionally dangerous to officers.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for shibboleth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shibboleth
Noun
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Over the course of two days, Branch gained support online with the slogan #WeBackAGBranch, and people were asked to text their delegates and tell them to vote no on the legislation.Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024
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Nevertheless, it-girls from far and wide — and their stylists — flock to her shop for ultra-miniskirts, ultra-specific slogan tees and everything in between.Bailey Richards, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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According to Nate, what makes working with Marielle satisfying isn’t just her determination to avoid the cliche, but her willingness to look for the best idea up until the last possible minute.Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2024
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Of the many threadbare cliches passed down among wine lovers, the idea that white wines do not merit aging is among the most egregious.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Advertisement As the years pass, those banners hanging inside Pauley Pavilion fade like the memories of those championships.Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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James Gunn appears to be taking the DC Universe in a solid new direction with the first film under the new DCU banner.Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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These challenges underpin the truism that while AI can transform finance, the potential will be realized only with more than just technological investment.Erum Manzoor, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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The motivation behind the truisms is to create a workplace that employees want to go to — without a back-to-office mandate.Anna Butler, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Nathanson plumps the story with platitudes and moments that could lead to, well, more franchising.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
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So Nandor sits down with Guillermo and attempts to sympathize with him, while Colin offers empty platitudes better suited to a coffee mug.Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The two-dimensional characters communicate in bromides; Lena’s fellow privates, who suffer from the laziest defining characteristics (coarse Southern gal, proper preacher’s daughter, New Yorker), are the worst offenders.Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
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In place of triumph-of-the-human-spirit bromides, though, what the book delivers is its own kind of cinema, harsh and true.New York Times, New York Times, 8 July 2024
Noun
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Plot-wise, there are elements of E.T. and Pixar's Wall-E here, but Sanders has created a unique take on those tropes and standout characters that are all his own.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
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In fact, literary historians believe the canonical Dracula borrowed or plagiarized tropes from the novella as source material.Sally Tamarkin, Them, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Soaking the chestnuts helps them to get a little softer before roasting.Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
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Think pine cones, chestnuts, mushroom decorations, feathers, and a variety of forest creatures.Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Shibboleth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shibboleth. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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