A platitude is a remark or statement that is dull, obvious, and overused, often presented as though it were insightful or profound. Such statements tend to be cliché and lack substantial meaning or original thought. Key points

• Nature: banal, trite, or stalling remark designed to be comforting or agreeable.
• Function: often used to reassure, end conversations, or fill space, rather than to illuminate.
• Examples: "Everything happens for a reason," "It is what it is," "What goes around comes around."

Context and nuance

• Platitudes can feel soothing in difficult moments because they offer simple, familiar counsel, but they can also invalidate experience or shut down deeper discussion.
• They are distinct from mere clichés by typically signaling moralizing or supposed wisdom, even when lacking genuine depth.

If you’d like, I can provide more examples across contexts (motivational speaking, everyday conversation, writing), or help identify platitudes in a given text and suggest stronger alternatives.