platitude

American  

[plat-i-tood, -tyood] / ˈplæt ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.

   Synonyms:

   truism, cliché

2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite.

   the platitude of most political oratory.

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platitude British  

/ ˈplætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a trite, dull, or obvious remark or statement; a commonplace

2. staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness

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Other Word Forms

• platitudinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of platitude

First recorded in 1805–15; from French: literally, “flatness,” equivalent to plat “flat” ( plate ¹ ) + -itude -tude ( def. )

Example Sentences

Most discourse on Islam among non-Muslims is driven by reductive platitudes.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the platitude goes, the cost of community is convenience.

From MarketWatch

The idea that just-war teaching is no more than a collection of pie-in-the-sky platitudes is a dangerous oversimplification, however much it may seem that way from some of the religious commentary on war.

From The Wall Street Journal

“If I Don’t Return” mostly steers clear of platitudes, a professional hazard for any career military officer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. James has compiled his own self-help manifesto, one that strays into platitudes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• banality
• bromide