1
as in gesture
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 joke
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 pleasantry
Once onstage, Stallone traded a few pleasantries with the mayor, Melendrez and the crowd.
—
René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Fire Dogs and Law Hogs were united as one before kickoff, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Usha Vance, the nation's second lady and wife of Vice President JD Vance, has spent her family's first year in office familiarizing herself with the pitfalls and pleasantries of public service.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
After Harris and Shapiro sat down, in a dining room that had been cleared of most furniture other than two chairs and a table, there was little in the way of small talk or pleasantries.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Fire Dogs and Law Hogs were united as one before kickoff, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Usha Vance, the nation's second lady and wife of Vice President JD Vance, has spent her family's first year in office familiarizing herself with the pitfalls and pleasantries of public service.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
After Harris and Shapiro sat down, in a dining room that had been cleared of most furniture other than two chairs and a table, there was little in the way of small talk or pleasantries.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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Set the scene The Rolls-Royce Phantom was waiting at Arrivals, equipped with scented cold towels and treats, Wi-Fi, and phone chargers—a welcome gesture and one that truly set the scene for the lavish and attentive service that awaits at the 56-storey hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Following the death of Eric Dane, the actor’s friends have set up a GoFundMe to support his daughters, but some have met the gesture with criticism.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gwen then cracks a joke about firing Del Rio's character.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
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There is a drawing of a child crouched on a ride-on suitcase, notes for a joke Fleming posted online in January.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the real moment came courtesy of the cape effect.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
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In 2021, a lawsuit was filed against the city for its courtesy tow practices.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Rather than letting the gags flit by quickly, the cast pauses endlessly after each utterance to milk the laughs.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
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Trump told the men’s team during the call, eliciting laughs in the background.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Harry Styles is ready to do some late-night joking.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
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Written in a joking and contemptuous tone, the tweet would take on an indescribably morbid weight just five days later, when, at the behest of Governor Cláudio Castro, the Rio de Janeiro police carried out the deadliest massacre in the country’s history.—
Evandro Cruz Silva,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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