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Definition of truism

truism

/ˈtruːˌɪz.əm/
tru · ism
Adverb:truistically
•
Plural:truisms
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Adjective:truistic
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truism Lexical Profile

truism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting; a self-evident, undoubted truth.

Example

"The speaker's speech was filled with familiar truisms rather than actionable policy proposals."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for truism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for truism

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'truism' and 'axiom' both refer to self-evident truths, a 'truism' often carries a slightly dismissive connotation, implying a statement is so obvious or trite that it hardly needs to be stated.

• Nearby Words

truelove
trueness
truffle
truism
trujillo
truly
trummelbach

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 18th century (notably used by Jonathan Swift in 1708) from the English word 'true' (from Old English 'triewe', meaning faithful or trustworthy) combined with the suffix '-ism'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Truism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/truism
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