1
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
"how are you" is merely a social pleasantry
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2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
his after-dinner speeches usually include the sort of gentle pleasantry that raises a chuckle
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pleasantry
In other cases, Trump exchanged pleasantries with other leaders who have been working on parallel efforts to help resolve the Ukraine war.
—
Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Cameras captured Trump and Obama at Washington National Cathedral exchanging pleasantries, with Obama laughing at something the incoming president was saying.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
After exchanging pleasantries and a quick inquiry about his ex-wife’s new boyfriend, Coop’s boss Jack Bailey (Corbin Bernsen) reveals the real reason for their conversation.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
He’s also increased communication and exchanged pleasantries with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
Cameras captured Trump and Obama at Washington National Cathedral exchanging pleasantries, with Obama laughing at something the incoming president was saying.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
After exchanging pleasantries and a quick inquiry about his ex-wife’s new boyfriend, Coop’s boss Jack Bailey (Corbin Bernsen) reveals the real reason for their conversation.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
He’s also increased communication and exchanged pleasantries with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pleasantry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantry
Noun
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Additionally, the avatar can pass the human test by using gestures, body language, and other elements of human interaction.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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The gesture, broadcast everywhere locally, sent a clear signal to the outside world.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Here’s why and what happened CT proposal noted halfway across globe and becomes butt of jokes.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
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The vibes are confusing, the itinerary is unclear, and Drew—ever the queen of chaos—jokes that naked bears might be involved.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Published on May 21, 2025 By Jaclyn Trop Photo : David Westphal, courtesy of Cadillac Photo : David Westphal, courtesy of Cadillac The model is a four-door hatchback presenting a mid-century modern aesthetic.—
Jaclyn Trop,
Robb Report,
21 May 2025
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Their only early scoring was courtesy of back-to-back two-out doubles from Freeman and Smith in the bottom of the fourth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Some of it comes from the ether… from the ether going after Ethan [laughs].—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
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Customers come and go, street merchants stop in to peddle their wares and the hair braiders bicker over clients, laugh, dance, watch African soap operas on TV and work until their fingers bleed.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantry. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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