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Definition of commonplacenext
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commonplace

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noun

as in cliché
an idea or expression that has been used by many people the familiar summertime commonplace that "It's not the heat, it's the humidity"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of commonplace
Adjective
Even after homosexuality was decriminalized in the post-Soviet country at the turn of the century, intolerance has been commonplace. Ryan Oehrli updated February 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026 Proponents of the bill argue that since shootings have become commonplace at religious institutions across the country, all houses of worship should be able to provide security for their congregants. Lauren Costantino february 5, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Plot details are under wraps, but that's commonplace for a Perkins project. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025 Ion gauges are relatively cheap (under US $1,000) and commonplace. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commonplace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonplace
Adjective
  • In Italy and Switzerland, the avalanche death tolls are also much higher than normal.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
  • On the one hand, far more blooms than normal graced the desert all winter long.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The galaxies that are so familiar and ubiquitous in our Universe today will die, at least in a sense, as well.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Elevated interest rates in the economic terrain of recent years have been ubiquitous, with savers easily able to earn rates of 4%, 5% or even 6% and 7% on certificate of deposit (CD), high-yield savings and money market accounts.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Later, Lenape artist Joe Baker places cutout photographs of his ancestors over the stereotyped images of Native Americans found in the wallpaper.
    Tom McDonough, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Several leaders described the pressure of being both highly visible and easily stereotyped.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The sheriff’s department specifically requested footage that includes cars, traffic, people or pedestrians, or anything that feels out of the ordinary or important.
    Randi Kaye, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Slater’s former top deputy, who also left the Justice Department, publicly warned that antitrust decisions are being influenced by corporate lobbyists — not in the interest of ordinary Americans.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • As usual, Tkachuk was an effective agitator of and a menace to opponents in ways that don’t show up in the limited stats that Olympic hockey tracks.
    Chris Kudialis, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Burberry, after all, closes the fall 2026 season tomorrow with its usual celebs-in-trenches extravaganza.
    Alice Newbold, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Nanos must also be tired of talking, though that one is on him.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Aiona has grown tired of spending his retirement telling park-goers to stop feeding the chickens.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • One of the truisms in the past for Team Canada at some best-on-best events is needing a few games to find its game.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • What’s happening now underscores that truism.
    Dan Walters, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Given that a typical satellite payload is around 800 kg (1760 pounds), those prices were close to a billion dollars (in today’s dollars) per launch in the early days of spaceflight.
    Big Think, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
  • By Sunday, the snowpack was at 73% of the typical level, per data from the California Department of Water Resources.
    Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commonplace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonplace. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

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