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
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2
as in cliche
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shibboleth
But for those who remain beholden to the shibboleths that once justified that act of national self-harm, the Times’ acknowledgment of the obvious might be valuable.
—
The Editors, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024
Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies.
—WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Nothing is sacrificed to the shibboleth of good taste.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Far from being a shibboleth of evil, the company is like any other trying to turn a profit in the Western world in 2023, which comes with its own issues and frustrations separate from the ones posited by Kristof in his viral article.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for shibboleth
The Editors, National Review, 20 Mar. 2024
Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies.
—WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Nothing is sacrificed to the shibboleth of good taste.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Far from being a shibboleth of evil, the company is like any other trying to turn a profit in the Western world in 2023, which comes with its own issues and frustrations separate from the ones posited by Kristof in his viral article.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for shibboleth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shibboleth
Noun
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Amid growing calls for transparency and climate responsibility, a few under-the-radar brands are stepping up with substance, not slogans and these were made in a random summer discovery.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Critics have accused the regime of prioritizing ideological loyalty over competence, allowing individuals who simply mouthed hard-line slogans to rise through the ranks while concealing their true allegiances.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The channel presents videos of Adams traveling to various country clubs and using Jewish cliches to poke fun at golf’s historic exclusion of Jews.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
4 July 2025
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The actor does his best to exude menace, but he’s hampered by a script filled with franchise cliches like an evil admiral (Peter Weller) and Kirk playing fast and loose with the Prime Directive.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
From protests in Barcelona to banners in Ibiza, Spanish locals are voicing their frustrations.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
But the valor of the real soldiers who carried the banner of American ideals into the firefight is nonetheless reflected in this story.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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The notion that Trump is the wrong answer to the right question has become something of a truism for liberals.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
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With Section 899, Republicans are trying to test the truism about two wrongs not making a right.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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All platitudes aside, the Kentucky distillery really does make some fantastic whiskey, and two releases that always stand out are the annual 10 Year Old Bourbon and Rye—and the 2025 edition of the latter expression was just announced.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
21 May 2025
-
Without this, Earth Day and its commitments will remain fixed in a state of surface-level notability—platitudes and small gestures that are forgotten until the next one rolls around.—
Jerel Ezell,
Time,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His trite bromides are typical of showbiz cretins struggling to appear principled.—
Armond White,
National Review,
28 May 2025
-
The state uses a three-drug protocol of etomidate, rocuronium bromide and potassium acetate.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The platform exploded by tracking real-time reader behavior and story tropes — turning grassroots fanfiction into global publishing deals, Netflix originals and box office hits.—
Bogdan Nesvit,
Rolling Stone,
9 July 2025
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This fake dating trope may sound cute at first, but things quickly take a horrifying turn when it’s announced that the 75th Games will break from tradition and draw contestants from the pool of past victors.—
Kelly Martinez Published,
EW.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Luxury scented candles, like room sprays for that matter, have the power to elevate any moment: taking it from commonplace to utterly indulgent.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Mar. 2025
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The Grand Ole Opry House holds 4,400 people, but can’t accommodate standing-room tours, a commonplace in genres like EDM and hip-hop.—
Matthew Leimkuehler,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shibboleth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shibboleth. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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