Platitude

A platitude is a trite, overused, or unoriginal remark or statement that lacks depth or originality, often stated to convey a sense of wisdom or insight, but instead comes off as superficial or cliché. It is frequently employed in conversation to imply a universal truth but is typically met with dismissal or eye-rolling.

Platitude meaning with examples

• During the meeting, the manager's reliance on platitudes about teamwork and synergy failed to inspire the employees, who sought concrete solutions rather than repetitive slogans that provided little actual guidance or motivation. The overuse of these well-worn phrases left many feeling unenthusiastic, as they craved genuine engagement and new ideas.
• As the graduation ceremony progressed, the keynote speaker's platitude-filled speech about 'following your dreams' and 'the future is bright' elicited groans from the audience. Although these clichés are often intended to uplift and inspire, their overuse made them feel empty, overshadowing the unique accomplishments of the graduates themselves.
• In a heartfelt conversation, my friend offered me the platitude 'everything happens for a reason' when I expressed my frustrations about a recent setback. While well-meaning, it felt dismissive and inadequate in recognizing the complexity of emotions I was experiencing at that moment, rendering it ineffective as comfort.
• After the tragic event, the community was overwhelmed with platitudes on social media, such as 'thoughts and prayers' and 'life goes on.' However, these repetitive phrases often felt hollow against the backdrop of grief, and many desired more authentic expressions of support and solidarity rather than unrevealing slogans.