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
Accomplish any tasks that are genuinely necessary, but leave room for pleasantries and small talk too.
—
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
While reporters were present, the two leaders only exchanged pleasantries.
—Michelle L. Price, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
While where reporters were present, the two leaders only exchanged pleasantries.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Once onstage, Stallone traded a few pleasantries with the mayor, Melendrez and the crowd.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
While reporters were present, the two leaders only exchanged pleasantries.
—Michelle L. Price, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
While where reporters were present, the two leaders only exchanged pleasantries.
—Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Once onstage, Stallone traded a few pleasantries with the mayor, Melendrez and the crowd.
—René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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Aunt Fely, with her compliments and her contrived umbrage at the theatricality of my sartorial gesture, was only a minute away.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Whether in a comedy, with slapstick archetypes, or in a serious Shakespearean tragedy, communicating subtle threats through unique gestures, gait, and facial expressions, or in a modern experimental piece, Dominic excels.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Its massive size even became the subject of a joke in the film High Society, in which the actress chose to wear her real-life ring instead of a prop one.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
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My sister got these jokes and these hands.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Privacy Policy Check out our other newsletters Following her most intense period of celebrity in 1939, courtesy of the exuberant GE PR machine, Katharine returned to her science, and in the never-a-dull-moment department, science with Irving Langmuir.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
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The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And yes, because we are blessed with famous weather, whole neighborhoods and districts can risk spilling out into the sidewalks, where laughs get louder, music gets blasted and the street fashion becomes a runway.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Roger, in chains, talks to his captor like an old peer as the two laugh about battles of old, and Roger asks Garp for a favor before dying.—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lindsay says that Jesse was serious about asking, but that the make-out would be a joking make-out.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
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The women’s team declined their joking invitation and had to explain comments directed at them.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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