platitudinarian
/'plæti,tju:di'neəriən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A speaker at the meeting was a real platitudinarian, droning on about teamwork and synergy.
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who uses platitudes excessively or habitually: A "platitudinarian" is someone who frequently states obvious, dull, or commonplace remarks as if they were original or significant insights. This term often carries a negative connotation, implying the person is tiresome or unoriginal.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The speaker was a dreadful platitudinarian, filling his speech with empty clichés about "thinking outside the box" and "giving 110%."
- She avoided being a platitudinarian by offering concrete examples instead of vague, overused sayings.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in critical or analytical contexts, such as in reviews of speeches, writing, or political commentary, to critique a lack of originality or depth.
- The critic dismissed the politician as a mere platitudinarian, whose campaign promises were devoid of specific policy.
Variants and Related Words
- Platitude (n): A remark or statement, especially one with moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful; a cliché.
- His advice consisted of nothing but tired platitudes.
- Platitudinous (adj): (Of a remark or statement) Having the characteristics of a platitude; dull and commonplace.
- The conclusion was platitudinous and unsatisfying.
Synonyms
- Cliché-monger: A person who uses clichés habitually.
- Bromidist: A person who utters bromides (dull, commonplace statements).
- Commonplaceer: (Rare) A person who deals in commonplace ideas.
Related Phrases
- While "platitudinarian" itself is not typically part of a phrasal verb, it relates to the act of "spouting platitudes".
- He spent the entire meeting spouting platitudes instead of addressing the real issues.
Related Idioms
- To deal in platitudes: To habitually use trite, unoriginal statements.
- The leadership seminar was disappointing; the facilitator just dealt in platitudes the whole time.
A speaker at the meeting was a real platitudinarian, droning on about teamwork and synergy.
Noun
- a bore who makes excessive use of platitudes