1
as in courtesies
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
"how are you" is merely a social pleasantry
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleasantries
These polite pleasantries waste precious attention.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Trump applauded while the Russian president walked to meet him, shaking hands and giving friendly arm taps while the two exchanged pleasantries before posing for photos.
—Rema Rahman, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
But before that, some pleasantries were exchanged.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Within the span of five minutes, Samantha had skipped pleasantries and knew all about my three Italian mothers (my mother and her sisters), my current complicated situationship, and my dreams of becoming a writer.
—Sara Sturek, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Before long, small-town pleasantries are tangled into a web of violent criminal behavior and erotic physical desire.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
At the end of the day, as my family shared pictures and pleasantries from our morning together, the group text really just wanted the casserole recipe.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.
—Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Trump applauded while the Russian president walked to meet him, shaking hands and giving friendly arm taps while the two exchanged pleasantries before posing for photos.
—Rema Rahman, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
But before that, some pleasantries were exchanged.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Within the span of five minutes, Samantha had skipped pleasantries and knew all about my three Italian mothers (my mother and her sisters), my current complicated situationship, and my dreams of becoming a writer.
—Sara Sturek, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
Before long, small-town pleasantries are tangled into a web of violent criminal behavior and erotic physical desire.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
The comedian walked into the venue exchanging pleasantries with staffers along the way.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 3 Mar. 2025
At the end of the day, as my family shared pictures and pleasantries from our morning together, the group text really just wanted the casserole recipe.
—Brennan Long, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2025
Bobby Miller did not know Blake Snell at all, but the mutual admiration went beyond just pleasantries as Miller typed a direct message to the two-time Cy Young winner and his new teammate.
—Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantries
Noun
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That means having to cut jokes that don't fit his do-no-harm MO.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
His voice is exuberant, especially when cracking jokes.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement Advertisement In one of several choreographed gestures suggesting a special and intimate relationship between Russia and India, Putin gave Modi a ride in his presidential limousine to their bilateral meeting in Tianjin.—
Shyam Saran,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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Now, with gestures like this latest birthday surprise, the couple appears back on solid ground, blending star power and romance in a way that keeps fans rooting for them.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While the pants were a loss, the post provided plenty of laughs for the internet, and some great advice for the next time a day at the zoo goes wrong.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, if you're pressed for time, check out the shorts Mike's New Car (2001) and Party Central (2014) for some quick laughs.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The sounds of sweet barks, slurps from surrounding water bowls and giggles over the elaborate canine costumes filled the air.—
Mandi Wright,
Freep.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Boys in blue training kits gather in pockets of shade and trade wisecracks.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Nearly every inch of the bar’s narrow interior is plastered with glowing beer logo signs, neon strip lights and posters jeering with bawdy bar jokes and wisecracks.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Batemen gets a few moving monologues, but Vince’s heavier dose of morbid witticisms aren’t enough to overcome his pervasive selfishness and abominable behavior (nor is a late-arriving revelation about his past).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
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Discontent is brimming with witticisms and scathing observations about our modern-day malaise.—
Julia Hass,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantries. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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