trite — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. used so many times that it is commonplace, or no longer interesting or effective; worn out, hackneyed.

   Usage

   • often
   • in reference to a word or phrase

   Synonyms

   banalclichédplayed out

   Examples

   It is a trite saying in a young country that anyone starting out in life with the determination to become wealthy will have his wish gratified.

   It is trite history – and trite law – to say that the law of the sea since that time [World War II] reflects a history of coastal State expansion.

   More examples (3)

   Her people are equally simplistic and trite: evil outlaws, greedy opportunists and whores with hearts of gold.

   McPedro the cactus: How to woo a woman! On yehr fahrst date, don’t bring her cut flowers! That’s inhumane! And trite!

   This show is sensationally absurd and trite, and if you watch it, you know it.

2. So well established as to be beyond debate: trite law.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   It is trite to say that the mere fact that a decision does not favour the applicant or that the applicant disagrees with the decision does not establish that the decision is tainted with bias.

Noun

1. A denomination of coinage in ancient Greece equivalent to one third of a stater.

Noun

1. In Ancient Greek musical theory, the lower-pitched of the two movable notes in the farther tetrachord on a lyre, pitched lower than the paranete and higher than the paramese.

Adjective

1. repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

   Synonyms

   banalcommonplacehackneyedold-hatshopwornstockthreadbaretimeworntiredwell-worn

   Examples

   his remarks were trite and commonplace

   hackneyed phrases

   More examples (4)

   a stock answer

   repeating threadbare jokes

   parroting some timeworn axiom

   the trite metaphor ‘hard as nails’