pleasantries

NOUN

nice remark

Synonyms

STRONGEST

repartee witticism

STRONG

badinage banter humor jest joke levity merriment quip quirk sally squib wit

WEAK

bon mot joking

Antonyms

STRONG

seriousness

WEAK

criticism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He could order in French and exchange pleasantries with an elderly French waiter who seemed to live there.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The leaders chatted for 10 minutes, exchanging pleasantries and praising each other’s strength.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

The interview is utterly anodyne, a doddering exchange of pleasantries and carefully selected humanizing anecdotes.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

The list of subplots would have provided an intriguing backdrop to what are usually pre-match boardroom pleasantries, with Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in town to make his presence felt.

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2025

I wanted to get the pleasantries out of the way.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan