1
as in courtesies
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
"how are you" is merely a social pleasantry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in jokes
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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Recent Examples of pleasantries
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
The staff isn't particularly happy, helpful, or welcoming; after all, who has time for pleasantries when you're slammed all day?
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
After some awkward pleasantries, a single white envelope containing deal terms was slid across the table.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026
Cohen reached out asking to talk, but Epstein was done with pleasantries.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
After checking their badges, the police exchange pleasantries with the agents and leave.
—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The two caught up briefly prior to tipoff, sharing an embrace and exchanging a few pleasantries before White had to get back to his pregame preparations.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, over years of random, closeted and compulsive encounters, Shane and Ilya barely exchange pleasantries during their hot, impersonal hookups, even calling each other by their last names — half bros, half hos.
—David Colman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Accomplish any tasks that are genuinely necessary, but leave room for pleasantries and small talk too.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The staff isn't particularly happy, helpful, or welcoming; after all, who has time for pleasantries when you're slammed all day?
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
After some awkward pleasantries, a single white envelope containing deal terms was slid across the table.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026
Cohen reached out asking to talk, but Epstein was done with pleasantries.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
After checking their badges, the police exchange pleasantries with the agents and leave.
—Ali Bauman, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
The two caught up briefly prior to tipoff, sharing an embrace and exchanging a few pleasantries before White had to get back to his pregame preparations.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, over years of random, closeted and compulsive encounters, Shane and Ilya barely exchange pleasantries during their hot, impersonal hookups, even calling each other by their last names — half bros, half hos.
—David Colman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Accomplish any tasks that are genuinely necessary, but leave room for pleasantries and small talk too.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantries
Noun
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Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.—
Simon Akam,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Did this make Fuentes, Morgan asked, want to reconsider his jokes on the subject?—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Some people embed terms in memes, jokes or ironic commentary.—
Sharlette A. Kellum,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Quiet, introspective moments coexist with more expansive, communal gestures, creating a layered emotional landscape.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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And the chairman and CEO of $428 billion energy giant Chevron, Mike Wirth, also believes in the power of meaningful gestures.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Bauers clearly hit the base square in the middle, and the call was quickly overturned, leading to laughs from both managers, the Rays’ Kevin Cash and the Brewers’ Pat Murphy.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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On Broadway, Leon gets the bad laughs.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Barry Diller was full of wisecracks tonight at the PGA Awards.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2026
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Chock-full of laugh-out-loud quips and wisecracks, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski and Cheryl Hines also join in on the fun in the boisterous 2017 sequel to the 2016 original Bad Moms.—
Lydia Price,
PEOPLE,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Actually, the mere mention of Millender brings smiles and giggles from his teammates.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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The grand finale involves an oink-tastic party at Peppa’s House involving party hats, giggles, bubbles and more.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The initial experience of Shakespeare’s meter leads to a world of discovery of a man who quite literally changed the world with witticisms and insight and has shaped every corner of humanity since the 16th century.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2026
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During Bloomberg’s pursuit of office, a 1990 booklet in which business colleagues had compiled his witticisms surfaced.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantries. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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