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View synonyms for platitude

platitude

[ plat-i-tood, -tyood ]

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.



platitude

/ ˈplætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

  1. a trite, dull, or obvious remark or statement; a commonplace
  2. staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˌplatiˈtudinous, adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of platitude1

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

Origin of platitude1

C19: from French, literally: flatness, from plat flat
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Example Sentences

He hardly campaigned, and when he did, he often focused on local issues and spoke in platitudes.

An argument that peters out or ends in platitudes loses much of its impact.

Corporate America’s response should go beyond platitudes and simply checking boxes on diversity initiatives.

From Fortune

For those looking to actually enact progress—especially leaders at the organizations where tired, thinly stretched workers dread hearing the next empty platitude—it’s time for a change in vocabulary.

From Quartz

Instead of tone-deaf messages and empty platitudes, enterprises should walk the walk.

Morning talk shows should be a doddle for a President: softball questions easily answered with a platitude or three.

But how does one square his platitude with the reality of his situation?

The losers may be tempted to embrace the glum platitude that “elections have consequences.”

I thought this was a kind of platitude, but she corrected me.

I doubt if most people, although they would call that a platitude, realize that heredity is anything more than a telling word.

His Lordship's sense of humor must a little have failed him, when he penned the platitude of the last few words.

Mr. Platitude was filled with wrath, and abused Dissenters in most unmeasured terms.

When I awoke from my reverie the Reverend Mr. Platitude was quitting the apartment.

I speak advisedly,” said he, in continuation, “there is one Platitude.

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platinum metalplatitudinal