platitudinous

This term describes communication that feels hollow because it relies on overused clichés. It carries a strong negative connotation of intellectual laziness or a lack of sincerity, suggesting that the speaker is using a pre-packaged phrase to avoid dealing with the actual complexity of a situation. While similar to trite, this word specifically targets the quality of a platitude—a statement that may be true in a general sense but is so common that it has lost all power to inspire or persuade. It is most frequently used in critical contexts, such as reviewing political rhetoric or corporate mission statements.