platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈpla-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the quality or state of being dull or insipid

… he seemed to breathe only for the purpose of perpetrating puns—things of so despicable a platitude …

—Edgar Allan Poe

2

: a banal, trite, or stale remark

… monologues with a few too many platitudes …

—Michael Musto

Synonyms of platitude

• cliché
• truism
• bromide
• banality
• commonplace
• trope
• saying

Examples of platitude in a Sentence

His speech was filled with familiar platitudes about the value of hard work and dedication.

“blondes have more fun” is a silly platitude

Recent Examples on the Web

Victor Lindelof’s pre-match comments smacked of bombast and confidence, the sort of words which are said but not meant, platitudes used to motivate rather than to be sworn under oath. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 June 2026

What is in danger is that this will strip away the soul, the raw humanity actors like Jim Handy brough to each role and replace it with flat, generalized platitudes. —Carl Kurlander, Deadline, 13 June 2026

The second was that, along with the platitudes about resilience, attendees were unusually honest about the Gulf’s predicament. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 June 2026

Not the word kindness, not the platitudes. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from plat flat, dull

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for platitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈplat-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the quality or state of being dull or not stimulating

2

: an obvious, stale, or shallow remark