tautology

noun

Definition of tautologynext
as in repetition
a statement in which you repeat a word, idea, etc., in a way that is not necessary "A beginner who has just started" is a tautology.

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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 tautology This tautology arguably lies at the very heart of Duckworth’s book. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Sadaf spouts a tautology — faith as faith — that also holds for patriotism. — Armond White, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025 Yes, a win is a win, but tautologies aside, for the Niners, a win with Purdy playing like one of the finest quarterbacks in the NFL on Sunday would speak volumes. — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tautology
  1. repetition
  2. verbalism
  3. repetitiveness
  4. circularity
  5. hyperbole
  6. redundancy
Noun
  • This series features a lot of internal rhymes and repetitions, often in place of more thoughtful or meaningful explorations of its core ideas.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The beauty of the record lies in how these loops slowly diffract over their runtime, becoming subtly reformed over each repetition.
    — Henry Ivry, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of repetition
Noun
  • Remaining on stage with gracious verbalism, Batiste first acknowledged the nominees.
    — Allison Hazel, Essence, 9 June 2021
Definition of verbalism
Noun
  • The repetitiveness of the plot is not helped by the many montages writer-director Yandy Laurens uses as shortcuts, instead of writing scenes that show how the central relationship is developing.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Definition of repetitiveness
Noun
  • The second scenario calls for a more accelerated adoption of circularity measures, reflecting the strong policy and market momentum of leading circular economy nations.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • At Kering, the nature team sits under the sustainable programs umbrella, alongside circularity and its Material Innovation Lab (MIL).
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of circularity
Noun
  • Political hyperbole Abel Carvajal, an FIU law student suspended for two years over his involvement in the chats, offered a similar explanation of the offensive messages.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Leanne Morgan is a magnificent human being and that is not hyperbole.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hyperbole
Noun
  • Creating proactive strategies to fix bad data, including data errors, redundancy and more, is still one of the most inexpensive approaches to protecting against downstream damage.
    — Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Recently, even world-class mathematicians have felt the sting of redundancy.
    — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of redundancy

Browse Nearby Words

tautologous
tautology
tavern
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Cite this Entry

“Tautology.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tautology. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tautology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tautology

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