platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈpla-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the quality or state of being dull or insipid

… he seemed to breathe only for the purpose of perpetrating puns—things of so despicable a platitude …

—Edgar Allan Poe

2

: a banal, trite, or stale remark

… monologues with a few too many platitudes …

—Michael Musto

Synonyms of platitude

• cliché
• truism
• bromide
• banality
• commonplace
• trope
• saying

Examples of platitude in a Sentence

His speech was filled with familiar platitudes about the value of hard work and dedication.

“blondes have more fun” is a silly platitude

Recent Examples on the Web

Hughes offered the usual interview platitudes and seemed to be pleased with how his team was playing. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Because the story lines are facile fakes, because the characters are blanked out, the substance of relationships is reduced to dialogue of generalities and platitudes. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

The quarterback usually speaks in emotionless platitudes during news conferences. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

By platitudes like a peaceful and dignified death and silly words like natural. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from plat flat, dull

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for platitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈplat-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the quality or state of being dull or not stimulating

2

: an obvious, stale, or shallow remark