platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈpla-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce platitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
1
: the quality or state of being dull or insipid
2
: a banal, trite, or stale remark

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nonetheless, commonplace platitudes about honor and bravery take precedence over the feminist undertones Wyatt may aspire to. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025 Hernández, well acquainted with such platitudes in the years since her husband Jim took his life in a frozen pond, became inspired to write a book about it. Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025 But when this team broke camp, their goal was not to speak in glass-half-full platitudes in late September. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025 That platitude — polarize — was used multiple times to describe the film’s political world, even the nitty-gritty of it. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for platitude

Word History

Etymology

French, from plat flat, dull

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of platitude was in 1762

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Platitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platitude. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

platitude

noun
plat·​i·​tude ˈplat-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce platitude (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being dull or not stimulating
2
: an obvious, stale, or shallow remark

More from Merriam-Webster on platitude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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