banality

[bəˈnaləti]

banality Definition

  • 1the fact or condition of being banal; unoriginality
  • 2a trite or obvious remark

Using banality: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "banality" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The movie was criticized for its banality and lack of originality.

  • Example

    His speech was filled with banalities and clichés.

  • Example

    The book was full of banal observations about life.

  • Example

    The artist's work was dismissed as mere banality by some critics.

banality Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for banality

Phrases with banality

  • the idea that acts of evil are often committed by ordinary people who are simply following orders or conforming to societal norms

    Example

    Hannah Arendt coined the phrase 'banality of evil' to describe how Nazi war criminals were not necessarily monsters, but rather ordinary people who committed horrific acts.

  • the idea that life is often mundane and unremarkable

    Example

    The novel explores the banality of life in a small town.

  • the idea that popular culture is often shallow and lacking in substance

    Example

    The critic argued that the banality of pop culture was contributing to the dumbing down of society.

Origins of banality

from French 'banalité', from 'banal' meaning 'commonplace'

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Summary: banality in Brief

The term 'banality' [bəˈnaləti] refers to the state of being unoriginal or commonplace, often characterized by trite or predictable remarks. It can be used to describe works of art, literature, or speech that lack creativity or novelty, as in 'The movie was criticized for its banality and lack of originality.' The phrase 'banality of evil' describes how ordinary people can commit horrific acts, while 'banality of life' refers to the mundanity of everyday existence.