commonplace 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of commonplacenext
1
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events a commonplace occurrence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered the large corporate mergers that have become commonplace

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3
as in cliche
used or heard so often as to be dull a thriller that uses the commonplace plot twist of the evil twin

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commonplace

2 of 2

noun

ˈkä-mən-ˌplās How to pronounce commonplace (audio)
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"

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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
Direct trade models that are commonplace in the coffee industry are not so in the tea industry (albeit not unheard of), because of the way the majority of the latter operates through world market auctions and regional export/importers. — Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 But for others, particularly younger Americans, this could be the season of life where receiving wedding invitations is commonplace, and the costs are adding up. — Nerdwallet, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Tour ’74 was Dylan’s first-ever arena tour—a rock commonplace by 1974 that had not even been imaginable in 1966. — Michaelangelo Matos, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024 Neumann was a lifelong social democrat whose writings evince neither sympathy for Soviet communism nor any whiff of the fellow-traveling commonplace among radicals during the 1930s and 1940s. — William E. Scheuerman, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013 See All Example Sentences for commonplace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commonplace
  1. normal
  2. ubiquitous
  3. cliche
  4. ordinary
  5. usual
  6. stereotyped
  7. typical
  8. familiar
Adjective
  • For 2025, retail growth predictions of 3.6% or better are holding firm, and while NRF economists are expecting slower growth for the near term, the trade group is expecting for normal growth to return in time.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Join 22 others in the comments View Comments The airline also expects its own employment level in 2025 to be down from 2024 levels, though executives said that would be done through normal attrition caused by retirement and other voluntary departures, and not any layoff of staff.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • This development mirrors the revolutionary vision of personal computing, suggesting a future where AI agents could become as ubiquitous as desktop computers. 2.
    — Gaurav Pathak, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • And although offal may never become as ubiquitous as muscle meat in American diets, more people eating organ meats could come with some positives.
    — Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of ubiquitous
Noun
  • During his two-minute tribute, Dr. Robby — who’s suffering from acute existential exhaustion on top of the day’s extra-fine grind — falls back on a handful of cliches.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The song, the first disco hit and an indelible gay anthem, here feels like a pandering cliche.
    — Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of cliche
Adjective
  • During ordinary times, this accommodation would reflect an appropriate respect for the constitutional separation of powers.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Inevitably, skipping ordinary procedural checks, the administration made at least one mistake in deporting Abrego Garcia, and probably many others.
    — The Editors, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Since joining the Lakers, Dončić has put up his usual numbers, averaging 27.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists, and the Lakers are a serious contender.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And with a submission landscape thinner than usual, this might be creator Charlie Brooker’s best shot yet at one of the top prizes.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Their negative stereotyped reputation seems to follow them like ageism follows older employees or sexism follows female employees.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • At the time, Latinos were often cast in stereotyped roles with heavy accents and largely denied the opportunity to direct features.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of stereotyped
Adjective
  • This means the storm was no longer feeding off ocean waters, and did not have the structural characteristics of a typical hurricane anymore.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • In a typical spring, apply the herbicide in early to mid-April.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of typical
Adjective
  • Cannes Film Festival head Thierry Frémaux said there’s more to come, but this wasn’t your typical Cannes Competition lineup studded with older, familiar auteurs.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was also a memorandum of agreement about the move signed on Monday by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek, according to one source familiar.
    — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of familiar

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common or garden
commonplace
commonplaceness
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Cite this Entry

“Commonplace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commonplace. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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