1
as in slogan
an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product)
we knew that their claim of giving "the best deal in town" was just a shibboleth
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2
as in cliche
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
there's a lot of truth in the shibboleth that if you give some people an inch, they'll take a mile
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shibboleth
Musk’s willingness to upend auto manufacturing shibboleths has also forced his legacy competitors to seek new efficiencies.
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WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Nothing is sacrificed to the shibboleth of good taste.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Far from being a shibboleth of evil, the company is like any other trying to turn a profit in the Western world in 2023, which comes with its own issues and frustrations separate from the ones posited by Kristof in his viral article.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
Along with the shibboleth that a failure to dominate encourages cop killing, the nineties study helped implant a second myth in police culture as well—that stopping cars is exceptionally dangerous to officers.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for shibboleth 
WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023
Nothing is sacrificed to the shibboleth of good taste.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Far from being a shibboleth of evil, the company is like any other trying to turn a profit in the Western world in 2023, which comes with its own issues and frustrations separate from the ones posited by Kristof in his viral article.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023
Along with the shibboleth that a failure to dominate encourages cop killing, the nineties study helped implant a second myth in police culture as well—that stopping cars is exceptionally dangerous to officers.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for shibboleth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shibboleth
Noun
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Many commentators have called the slogan racist and sexist.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Ian, which barreled onto shore in September 2022, was about wind; ferocious gusts that blew apart houses and snapped the tops off oak trees and prompted residents of this working-class city to rally around a new slogan: #EnglewoodStrong.Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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According to Nate, what makes working with Marielle satisfying isn’t just her determination to avoid the cliche, but her willingness to look for the best idea up until the last possible minute.Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2024
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Of the many threadbare cliches passed down among wine lovers, the idea that white wines do not merit aging is among the most egregious.Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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One of Them Days’ studio, Sony Pictures Entertainment—which released the film under its Tri-Star Pictures banner—follows more of a set pattern.Tim Lammers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
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Cynthia Robertson could be forgiven for feeling that the banner was aimed at her.Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That said, there are guideposts and truisms that will give many savers a good shot at getting it right, experts said.Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
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Against the old truism that translators have unfair leverage over others, these three novels reveal the powerlessness of the translator.Irina Dumitrescu, The Dial, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Prejudices Today: Can recite political platitudes and career ambitions with ease.Alex Baia, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
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Nathanson plumps the story with platitudes and moments that could lead to, well, more franchising.Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The two-dimensional characters communicate in bromides; Lena’s fellow privates, who suffer from the laziest defining characteristics (coarse Southern gal, proper preacher’s daughter, New Yorker), are the worst offenders.Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
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In place of triumph-of-the-human-spirit bromides, though, what the book delivers is its own kind of cinema, harsh and true.New York Times, New York Times, 8 July 2024
Noun
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Since then, Musk has tweeted dozens of times on the subject—mostly amplifying anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim tropes, which British right-wing activists have attached to the abuse scandals for many years.Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
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In what’s become a standard trope during such disputes, the operator went on to claim that the majority of Optimum video customers do not watch MSG programming.Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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How hot will Parker Solar Probe get during its sun flyby? Christmas Eve may be a good time to roast chestnuts on the fire (or maybe toast marshmallows), but Parker Solar Probe scientists have built their spacecraft to avoid getting burned by the sun.Tariq Malik, Space.com, 22 Dec. 2024
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How to roast chestnuts To roast the chestnuts in the oven, start by heating your oven between 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, Hamm says.Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Shibboleth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shibboleth. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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