noun
platitude
PLAT-ih-tood/ˈplætɪtuːd/
An obvious, overused remark presented as meaningful or original.
His advice sounds wise but amounts to a familiar platitude.
Etymology
“Flatness” became an image for dull or insipid thought. The word then came to name a flat, commonplace remark, especially a familiar truth offered as though it were a fresh insight.
In context
as money makes money so knowledge begets knowledge that is very true I answered dejectedly for it sounded rather like a platitude but I don't see any means of following up any of these Clues
More examples
- The speaker offers platitudes about hard work instead of practical advice.
- She dismisses his claim that everything happens for a reason as a platitude.
- We need a clear plan, not another platitude about teamwork.
Forms
platitude · platitudes
platitudinous adjective — Expressing obvious ideas as if newly insightful.
Similar words
- cliché
- Emphasizes overused wording or ideas, not necessarily supposed wisdom.
- truism
- Emphasizes obvious truth rather than a pretense of originality.
- banality
- Covers anything dull and unoriginal, not just a remark.