1
as in slogans
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 cliches
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shibboleths
Noun
-
Since then, it’s been one of the most recognizable slogans for an American business.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025 -
Avoid reducing culture to slogans or values campaigns that don’t connect to daily work.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, some cliches are nothing but lazy thinking.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
30 Aug. 2025
-
In fact, natural is the word to sum up Chapman, a host who, like Artie Bucco, could be described as warm and convivial, who rarely fails to ask piercing questions devoid of cliches and has a relaxed but authoritative style.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The film is produced by Ben Hania’s long-time producer Nadim Cheikhrouha under his Mime Films and Tanit Films banners.—
Nada Aboul Kheir,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This is a coordinated action to drop banners and signs from highway overpass bridges across the state while many travel the roads for the long weekend, according to an event flyer.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Surreal flashbacks show us how Teddy’s ill mom (Alicia Silverstone) suffered at the hands of Michelle’s company, how the empty corporate platitudes offered in exchange for his family’s horror merely confirmed his belief that there was more to what was being said and what had been done.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Aug. 2025
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The United States might start to see itself as others do—self-righteous, hypocritical, futile—tire of its own platitudes and lies, and consider a change.—
Hussein Agha,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Aside from fake dating, the novel is full of beloved, albeit cheesy, rom-com tropes.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Punishing yet satisfying combat In reliable fashion, Art of Vengeance makes use of dozens of storytelling tropes from across ninja media.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Incidents of such poisoning saw a sharp decline when the Food and Drug Administration phased out the use of bromides in pharmaceuticals between the mid 70s and late 1980s.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shibboleths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shibboleths. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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