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
He’s also increased communication and exchanged pleasantries with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
—
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
According to court observers, the avatar managed only a few moments of speaking time, beginning with traditional courtroom pleasantries before the judges intervened.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Demi Moore, in Giorgio Armani, exchanged pleasantries with Miles Teller.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 2 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
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
According to court observers, the avatar managed only a few moments of speaking time, beginning with traditional courtroom pleasantries before the judges intervened.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Demi Moore, in Giorgio Armani, exchanged pleasantries with Miles Teller.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 2 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
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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Rather, there’s a mutually healing trajectory to this strange, secretive summer of playing house, and Petzold observes its gradual onset in fine details of gesture, expression and domestic routine — and its lapses when people fall intermittently out of character.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2025
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Gentle affectionate gestures usually are the prelude to intimacy, like a hand on your back, a caress on the cheek or even just cuddling in bed.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Noun
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The vibes are confusing, the itinerary is unclear, and Drew—ever the queen of chaos—jokes that naked bears might be involved.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
25 May 2025
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Think light beer, string lights, pizza, a cake with a callback to a joke from the show on it.—
Kelly Stout,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Their only early scoring was courtesy of back-to-back two-out doubles from Freeman and Smith in the bottom of the fourth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
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Published on May 21, 2025 By Jaclyn Trop Photo : David Westphal, courtesy of Cadillac Photo : David Westphal, courtesy of Cadillac The model is a four-door hatchback presenting a mid-century modern aesthetic.—
Jaclyn Trop,
Robb Report,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Some of it comes from the ether… from the ether going after Ethan [laughs].—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
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Customers come and go, street merchants stop in to peddle their wares and the hair braiders bicker over clients, laugh, dance, watch African soap operas on TV and work until their fingers bleed.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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