Definition

1. 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.

Noun

1. a bore who makes excessive use of platitudes