TRITE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'trite' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trite are hackneyed , stereotyped , and threadbare . While all these words mean "lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest," trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity. // "you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

Q: When would 'hackneyed' be a good substitute for 'trite'?

While in some cases nearly identical to trite , hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless. // all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

Q: When might 'stereotyped' be a better fit than 'trite'?

The words stereotyped and trite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form. // views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

Q: When could 'threadbare' be used to replace 'trite'?

The words threadbare and trite can be used in similar contexts, but threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted. // a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

trite

adjective

ˈtrīt

Definition of trite next

as in cliche

used or heard so often as to be dull the speaker offered disappointingly trite sentiments about embracing each challenge as an opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective trite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of trite are hackneyed, stereotyped, and threadbare. While all these words mean "lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest," trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

When would hackneyed be a good substitute for trite?

While in some cases nearly identical to trite, hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.

all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

When might stereotyped be a better fit than trite?

The words stereotyped and trite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

When could threadbare be used to replace trite?

The words threadbare and trite can be used in similar contexts, but threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of trite Instead of using the default gray/green background LinkedIn provides, which is boring, or a standard stock image, which can be trite, turn your background into a call-to-action. —

William Arruda, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 There is a monthly overview and then a page for each day, along with a quote that manages to be thought-provoking without being too trite. —

Medea Giordano, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024 Anyway, in the car, Bronwyn does not have great things to say about Whitney’s outburst, calling it fake and trite. —

Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024 The trite story sends Crowe’s slick investment banker to his late uncle’s rundown château and estate in Provence, where he’s supposed to ready the property for sale, but winds up falling in sync with its soul-soothing rhythms. —

Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for trite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trite

Adjective

Tragedies can be examined by those outside of its sphere of destruction, but the groundswell of feeling from Mexican viewers and critics is that there was little or no care taken to understand the cultural grief beyond stereotyped spectacle.

— Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Founded by artists who grew up in Maryvale, Salcido said the purpose of Labor is to be the bridge that shows the artistic capacity and potential of Maryvale because the neighborhood is too often stereotyped, underrepresented and ignored.

— David Ulloa Jr, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024