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
Edgar Allan Poe2
: a banal, trite, or stale remark
… monologues with a few too many platitudes …—Michael Musto
Michael MustoSynonyms of platitude
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
Li shook hands with Whitmarsh and exchanged platitudes with the other guests.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
The gap between $0 and $600 million makes his observation harder to dismiss as a platitude.
—Ryan Brennan
march 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The stump speech that voters — or would-be voters — get about this time of year entails platitudes about exercising rights, not sitting on the sidelines, using your voice and so on.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Many use cases are still being deployed or piloted, and the agency’s AI database is filled with jargon and platitudes that, in many instances, can be interpreted in multiple ways.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platitude
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Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
The gap between $0 and $600 million makes his observation harder to dismiss as a platitude.
—Ryan Brennan
march 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026
The stump speech that voters — or would-be voters — get about this time of year entails platitudes about exercising rights, not sitting on the sidelines, using your voice and so on.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Many use cases are still being deployed or piloted, and the agency’s AI database is filled with jargon and platitudes that, in many instances, can be interpreted in multiple ways.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for platitude
Cite this Entry
“Platitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platitude. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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