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Definition of commonplacenext
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commonplace

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noun

as in cliché
an idea or expression that has been used by many people the familiar summertime commonplace that "It's not the heat, it's the humidity"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 commonplace
Adjective
Unsettlingly directed by Donald Cammell, this adaptation of Dean Koontz’s 1973 novel of the same name imagines a smart home years before Nest, Ring, Roomba, and other devices become commonplace. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 Grumbles of justices’ potential retirements are more commonplace than leaks of opinions and internal court memos. Ella Lee, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
Such double-headers are far from commonplace in English football, but are becoming more frequent. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 The most commonplace and the most concerning, as a consequence, come by way of phishing campaigns. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commonplace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonplace
Adjective
  • Sneaky Jon Cooper The Bolts showed their normal forward lines in pregame warmups, but then had other ideas once the puck dropped Friday night.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • All need normal care to become established, are freeze resistant and make durable plants for the landscape.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet across prewar co-ops and walk-ups that haven’t seen a renovation since Ed Koch was mayor, the stainless steel panel listing each unit next to a tiny, round button remains ubiquitous.
    New York Times, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In this one, the book advance probably immunizes Vance from charges and temptations of Washington’s ubiquitous graft.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Kelly Enders-Tharp, a three-time surrogate and education and experience specialist at Growing Generations, explains that surrogates are often stereotyped, or that their backgrounds are misrepresented.
    Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Later, Lenape artist Joe Baker places cutout photographs of his ancestors over the stereotyped images of Native Americans found in the wallpaper.
    Tom McDonough, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Lyrics pull ordinary moments—tired thoughts, routine weight—and lay them bare.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
  • And companies like Meta are moving quickly to expand what these devices can do, including identifying people and instantly pulling up information about them, potentially turning ordinary public encounters into data points for the companies that make the glasses.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Flick was aware of what lay in store for his team and asked them to play a more pragmatic game than usual.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • As the Moon moves through your 5th House of Creativity, your voice carries more impact than usual.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • For homeowners tired of robotic mowers that demand nearly as much effort as traditional ones, the K1 is a genuine upgrade.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Susan Collins is an anemic and tired candidate.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ever since, intelligence officers have ruefully invoked that truism whenever they’re blamed for a major screwup.
    Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
  • But, travel experts say, that truism doesn't apply during this tumultuous period.
    ANDREA SACHS THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Safonov, who began his football career in Krasnodar’s academy aged 12, is not your typical footballer.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Performing new music at the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, bar’s long-running open mic is just a typical Sunday night for him and many other patrons.
    Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Commonplace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonplace. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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