1
as in slogan
an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product)
we knew that their claim of giving "the best deal in town" was just a shibboleth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in cliché
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
there's a lot of truth in the shibboleth that if you give some people an inch, they'll take a mile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shibboleth
This opens up the possibility that the agency can finally be wrenched away from divisive ideologies and progressive shibboleths and become a streamlined international-development assistance system that truly advances America’s interests.
—
The Editors,
National Review,
5 Feb. 2025
As far back as 2015, when all of Washington was under the influence of unfettered free-trade shibboleths, Trump warned about the dangers of economic dependencies, built up over decades of liberalization, that could be exploited for geopolitical leverage.
—
Andrew Byers,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2024
Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies.
—
WIRED,
21 Sep. 2023
Johnson’s novella is a shibboleth among a certain kind of reader (and, typically, writer).
—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2020
See All Example Sentences for shibboleth
The Editors,
National Review,
5 Feb. 2025
As far back as 2015, when all of Washington was under the influence of unfettered free-trade shibboleths, Trump warned about the dangers of economic dependencies, built up over decades of liberalization, that could be exploited for geopolitical leverage.
—
Andrew Byers,
Foreign Affairs,
1 July 2024
Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies.
—
WIRED,
21 Sep. 2023
Johnson’s novella is a shibboleth among a certain kind of reader (and, typically, writer).
—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2020
See All Example Sentences for shibboleth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shibboleth
Noun
-
Others use stickers with messages, crosses, flags or team slogans.
-
For Everything RiaL, that’s one of the slogans that has been associated with me since the beginning of my career.
Noun
-
This is certainly true—and a rather banal truism.
-
Rick Jackson is testing that truism in his campaign for Georgia governor.
Noun
-
Since the news, community members have assembled to help by making banners to hang in front of the store.
-
Balloons, banners and even billboard trucks lined the avenue.
Noun
-
Victor Lindelof’s pre-match comments smacked of bombast and confidence, the sort of words which are said but not meant, platitudes used to motivate rather than to be sworn under oath.
-
What is in danger is that this will strip away the soul, the raw humanity actors like Jim Handy brough to each role and replace it with flat, generalized platitudes.
Noun
-
The president used similar bromides in private calls to assuage allies, including Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson, before launching the war in February, according to people familiar with the conversations.
-
Other testing by the state’s environmental quality department found elevated levels of heavy metals commonly found in oil field wastewater including barium and bromide.
Noun
-
With 30 rooms, including 13 suites, all with views of the Dolomites, the interiors depart from familiar alpine tropes.
-
In that episode, there is a very direct conversation about tropes and specifically the crazy-ex-girlfriend trope regarding Arthur’s ex, Narcissa, played by Anna Camp.
Noun
-
Wolff was only the eighth woman to drive a Formula 1 car (four more have done it since); the role, a now-commonplace one that includes driving the simulator during Grand Prix weekends to inform trackside strategy, was created for her.
-
The videos are often integrated into larger montages of drone strikes, underscoring how commonplace these drones have become for Russian forces.
Noun
-
Communion does him no favors, though, mostly in its sheer banality.
-
Here, Laura, a magazine writer in London, drifts through old friendships, failed romances, and the gothic banalities of family life.
Cite this Entry
“Shibboleth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shibboleth. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
