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
  • The real challenge lies in the repetition — in executing the same dives, over and over again, with unwavering precision.
    — Bella Armstrong, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Diverse and exploratory behavior gradually gave way to persistent repetition.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 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
  • Now, Garnet Hill’s foray into the secondhand market reflects an increasing consumer appetite for circularity, especially among GenZ shoppers.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Launching here sends a signal that ambitious plans for circularity must be grounded in reality.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of circularity
Noun
  • There was a tinge of hometown bias to the honorific, but not enough to call it hyperbole.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Experts and European leaders said that’s not hyperbole but something that’s either already a grim reality or perilously close.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of hyperbole
Noun
  • Given today’s risks, frontier labs need to run like nuclear power plants or busy airports, with layers of redundancy and careful, time-consuming planning, so that the occasional and inevitable human error does not open a door to disaster.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, each year between April and October crews are testing generators, redundancy systems and other equipment to prepare for the worst, Shelton said.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 2 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tautology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tautology

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