platitude

American  

[plat-i-tood, -tyood] / ˈplæt ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.

   Synonyms:

   truism, cliché

2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite.

   the platitude of most political oratory.

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platitude British  

/ ˈplætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a trite, dull, or obvious remark or statement; a commonplace

2. staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness

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Other Word Forms

• platitudinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of platitude

First recorded in 1805–15; from French: literally, “flatness,” equivalent to plat “flat” ( plate ¹ ) + -itude -tude ( def. )

Example Sentences

What makes the upcoming pageantry and platitudes remarkable is the country’s mood.

From Salon

But amid the platitudes, sadness and shock is calcifying into anger and tension.

From BBC

His platitude of “humility is only a day away” feels more like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet the platitudes exchanged by the pair - who appear to have a genuine warmth in a relationship - indicated they are already looking forward to locking horns again in the 2026 season.

From BBC

This therapist is a poor listener; that one’s a pill-pusher; the one recommended by your seemingly well-adjusted good friend has nothing to offer but platitudes better suited for bumper stickers.

From Salon

Related Words

• banality
• bromide