Thesaurus results for PLEASANTRIES

pleasantries

noun

plural of pleasantry

as in courtesies

an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners "how are you" is merely a social pleasantry

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as in jokes

something said or done to cause laughter his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pleasantries The Dallas Cowboys welcomed in the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday afternoon for a joint practice at their summer home in Southern California, but the pleasantries did not last long. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 After some pleasantries, Lathan and Ahlman usually kick off the discussion, throwing out ideas that the rest of the hosts will debate. — Daniel Strauss, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026 Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal, acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, was in the Dodgers’ dugout during the game, exchanging pleasantries with his new teammates and coaches. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 Etna is a sociable fellow, but his conversations with other animals never indulge in pleasantries. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 The courtroom pleasantries represented a dramatic comedown for a strongman who once ruled Venezuela from a fortified presidential compound. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026 Meanwhile, a terse obituary for Steadman avoided any pleasantries. — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 Mariano said of a scene in the first episode, in which newcomers made out with contestants immediately upon entering the villa without exchanging pleasantries. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 26 June 2026 The Reynas and Berhalters, who grew up together and were in each other’s weddings, still might not be exchanging pleasantries or Christmas cards. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantries

Noun

Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.

— Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

Definition of courtesies

Noun

Television’s rise forced it to reinvent itself by introducing live disc jockeys who played music and told jokes.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
As a teenager, Davidson would sit in the back of the bus and write jokes on his way to and from basketball games and try them on his teammates.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of jokes

Noun

Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures.

— Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Chris Matthews, with Blankies 4 My Buddies, said those seemingly small gestures can carry meaning.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of gestures

Noun

This autumn, there are plenty of comedians rounding the country, all primed to provide you with boundless laughs.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 1 Oct. 2026
Some in San Francisco label him a moderate, though that designation would draw laughs elsewhere in the country and even in Sacramento.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of laughs

Noun

Whittler kept trying to make it through the broadcast, but couldn’t contain her giggles.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Her giggles kept interrupting the tune through much of her performance, and soon Pioneer Hall was laughing with her and cheering her through it.

— Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of giggles

Noun

The result is an incredible repository of vexations, bafflements, witticisms, and brilliancies.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
The initial experience of Shakespeare’s meter leads to a world of discovery of a man who quite literally changed the world with witticisms and insight and has shaped every corner of humanity since the 16th century.

— David John Chávez, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026

Definition of witticisms

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pleasantries

pleasantry

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“Pleasantries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantries. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pleasantries

noun

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