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
After Frankel stuffed Stacey on a point-blank shot from the slot due to a Boston turnover, Stacey engaged in pleasantries with a pile of Fleet sweaters in front of the blue paint.
—
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
The All-Star walked from the end of the bench to near midcourt to flag down his coach and remind Bickerstaff that the Detroit Pistons had no interest in exchanging postgame pleasantries with the Charlotte Hornets after their 118-100 blowout win.
—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Flagg and James exchanged pleasantries before and after the game, shaking hands twice on the court.
—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Apr. 2026
Despite the intensity on the court, Staley and Auriemma have typically exchanged public pleasantries, complimenting each others' successes and importance to the women's game.
—
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
The All-Star walked from the end of the bench to near midcourt to flag down his coach and remind Bickerstaff that the Detroit Pistons had no interest in exchanging postgame pleasantries with the Charlotte Hornets after their 118-100 blowout win.
—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Flagg and James exchanged pleasantries before and after the game, shaking hands twice on the court.
—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Apr. 2026
Despite the intensity on the court, Staley and Auriemma have typically exchanged public pleasantries, complimenting each others' successes and importance to the women's game.
—
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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Many were disappointed that their families were not included in any kind of goodwill gesture.
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Reese won the first one with LSU while delivering a taunting gesture toward Clark along the way, but Clark and Iowa took the rematch in 2024.
Noun
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New Delhi — What started as an online joke has now spilled onto the streets of India’s capital.
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Jan Paul van Hecke, a center-back who saw action on all parts of the pitch by both defending and scoring a goal, praised how the field held up — while also making a joke.
Noun
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Fyall says while Kansas City is a host city, the multiple base camps will deliver significant international visibility courtesy of the foreign sports press.
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Alicia Keys closed out the momentous occasion decked out in a custom all-black leather look, courtesy of a collaboration between Pelle Pelle and Daniel’s Leather.
Noun
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The fallout of that inquiry—to which Joe and Angela gamely acquiesce—generates its share of laughs, though our amusement comes at a cost.
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There are definitely laughs in Maddie’s Secret, but the point of the movie is almost to get beyond them, to the place where naive hokum could yield moments of inexplicable resonance.
Noun
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Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
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Still, Yoon’s joking somehow lightens the mood.
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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