Synonyms of trite

trite

adjective

ˈtrīt 

as in cliche

used or heard so often as to be dull

the speaker offered disappointingly trite sentiments about embracing each challenge as an opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cliche
• stereotyped
• tired
• hackneyed
• commonplace
• clichéd
• cliché
• banal
• boring
• obligatory
• shopworn
• stale
• usual
• typical
• old
• timeworn
• musty
• tiring
• hackney
• hack
• cardboard
• conventional
• threadbare
• well-worn
• dull
• cobwebby
• derivative
• moth-eaten
• platitudinous
• standard
• unoriginal
• unimaginative
• bromidic
• ordinary
• rote
• uninspired
• imitative
• weary
• dusty
• wearying
• uninteresting
• heavy
• vapid
• normal
• tiresome
• tedious
• prosaic
• monotonous
• canned
• wearisome
• pedestrian
• drab
• leaden
• humdrum
• dry
• tried-and-true
• ready-made
• tame
• routine
• stodgy
• ponderous
• jejune
• barren
• undramatic
• numbing
• arid
• pedantic
• colorless
• stock
• dreary
• stuffy
• old-fashioned
• cookie-cutter
• twice-told
• flat
• ho-hum
• mind-numbing
• old hat
• jading
• drudging
• platitudinal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• novel
• new
• original
• fresh
• interesting
• exciting
• intriguing
• stimulating
• unhackneyed
• engaging
• engrossing
• involving
• riveting
• energizing
• animating
• gripping
• strange
• absorbing
• unusual
• unfamiliar
• invigorating
• enlivening
• extraordinary
• unheard-of
• atypical
• uncommon
• unknown
• galvanizing
• unclichéd
• unprecedented
• unaccustomed
• pioneering
• pathbreaking
• trailblazing

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective trite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trite are hackneyed, stereotyped, and threadbare. While all these words mean "lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest," trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

When would hackneyed be a good substitute for trite?

While in some cases nearly identical to trite, hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.

all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

When might stereotyped be a better fit than trite?

The words stereotyped and trite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

When could threadbare be used to replace trite?

The words threadbare and trite can be used in similar contexts, but threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trite

Perhaps this is particularly noticeable because the thematic preoccupations of the film are so trite. —Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025

Unoriginal, trite, simplistic, and most of all, obvious? —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

The dialogue is uninspired (occasionally downright trite) and the characters aren't well developed, most notably Kingsley's weak-willed amoral scientist and Whitaker's reluctant empath—both exceptionally gifted actors who are largely wasted here. —ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025

And suddenly, the series’ more trite elements become a feature, not a (fire)bug. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025