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
While most were silent, the few who traded muted pleasantries hushed as the homeowners of the Silver Court Trailer Park commenced their meeting.
—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
The two fellow Arkansas natives exchanged pleasantries for about three minutes before heading to lunch at the Cowboys’ in-house restaurant.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
But Suzanna sees her mom every Saturday, making the long trip out of New York, up the hill, through security, and into the glum room where their pleasantries wear thin.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
After Frankel stuffed Stacey on a point-blank shot from the slot due to a Boston turnover, Stacey engaged in pleasantries with a pile of Fleet sweaters in front of the blue paint.
—
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
The two fellow Arkansas natives exchanged pleasantries for about three minutes before heading to lunch at the Cowboys’ in-house restaurant.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
But Suzanna sees her mom every Saturday, making the long trip out of New York, up the hill, through security, and into the glum room where their pleasantries wear thin.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
After Frankel stuffed Stacey on a point-blank shot from the slot due to a Boston turnover, Stacey engaged in pleasantries with a pile of Fleet sweaters in front of the blue paint.
—
Jason Cooke,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI rescinded the excommunications of the surviving bishops as a gesture towards reconciliation.
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People would hang from windows, encouraging you to do naughty things, and my thumb has never been sorer from back-and-forth gestures.
Noun
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As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke).
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And as a distant relative jokes, many can be found on mortgages, loans and other debts.
Noun
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More than 30,000 complimentary Dasani water bottles will be distributed to fans entering through the First Base, Third Base and Left Field gates, courtesy of Liberty Coke Bottlers.
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The statue’s creation is already underway courtesy of local sculptor Ben Victor.
Noun
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Fox Sports cameras showed Swift sharing a laugh with Kelce’s mother, Donna Kelce, in a suite.
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Davidson cowrote each episode, providing plenty of laughs and adding an extra bounce to the show’s hopeful ending.
Noun
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Oh, but the Padres manager was ready with the joking last night.
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Still, Yoon’s joking somehow lightens the mood.
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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