1
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
"how are you" is merely a social pleasantry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 pleasantry
After the game officially ended, players exchanged handshakes and pleasantries.
—
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
Back in October, Buster Posey expressed his disdain of opposing players exchanging pleasantries before games.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025
Now as episode three hits the service, questions abound on the true nature of this joyous plague and the deep space transmission that caused all these annoying pleasantries.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025
The two exchanged a handshake and pleasantries before San Francisco's win over Atlanta on Sunday.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025
Back in October, Buster Posey expressed his disdain of opposing players exchanging pleasantries before games.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025
Now as episode three hits the service, questions abound on the true nature of this joyous plague and the deep space transmission that caused all these annoying pleasantries.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025
The two exchanged a handshake and pleasantries before San Francisco's win over Atlanta on Sunday.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
-
But the gesture may be more symbolic than practical, since the ordinance could be difficult to enforce if passed, according to the county’s attorney.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This is a childhood that had all its ordinariness burned out of it by the linking of even seemingly trivial gestures (an offering of candy, a bath, a swim, the dust in a corner of a room) to an entire array of physical and mental agonies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But for too many of us, that proved an empty promise, the concept of work-life balance a cruel joke for women burned out from trying to take care of children and aging relatives, advance their careers (or even tread water in them), and meet other seemingly countless obligations.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Verizon had no say over the fate of an actor who once played a fictional ad icon on its behalf, but consumers got the joke.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Arguably one of the most memorable campaigns of the last decade came courtesy of Jonathan Anderson, who cast 88-year-old Dame Maggie Smith in a Loewe ad, the late legendary actor swaddled in a multi-colored faux fur coat, clutching a Puzzle bag.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
There’s gentle exfoliation courtesy of betaine salicylate, a mild beta-hydroxy acid that buffs away little flakes and rough patches dry skin tends to collect.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Rocky’s reply sent cohost Queenz Flip into stitches, which led to everyone sharing an infectious laugh in the room.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Jones is more outgoing, has a silly laugh and is a former first-round pick who wears garish suits on game day.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Greg Cote
December 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
