Truism: meaning, definitions and examples

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truism

[ˈtruːɪz(ə)m ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

commonly accepted belief

A truism is a statement that is obviously true and does not need to be proven. It is a commonly accepted belief or a self-evident truth.

Synonyms

axiom, cliché, platitude.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
truism	A truism is a statement that is obviously true and adds nothing new or interesting. It is often used to describe something that is self-evident. It is a truism that the sun rises in the east. A truism in business is that customer satisfaction is key to success.
axiom	An axiom is a statement or proposition that is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true, often in the context of mathematics or logic. In geometry, it is an axiom that through any two points, there is exactly one straight line. One of the axioms of economics is that people act out of rational self-interest.
platitude	A platitude is a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful. It is often considered dull and uninspired. The politician’s speech was full of moral platitudes but lacked concrete proposals. Her response to the crisis was nothing more than a series of empty platitudes.
cliché	A cliché is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect. It often carries a negative connotation. His speech was filled with clichés about hard work and dedication. The movie script relied heavily on tired clichés and predictable tropes.

Examples of usage

It's a truism that honesty is the best policy.
The truism 'time is money' reflects the value of efficiency in business.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

obvious statement

In a more informal context, a truism can also refer to an obvious or self-evident statement that is often repeated.

Examples of usage

The truism 'birds of a feather flock together' emphasizes the idea that people with similar interests often group together.
It's a truism in sports that practice makes perfect.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'truism' comes from the root 'true', combined with the suffix '-ism', which means a belief or quality.
It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century, gaining popularity in philosophical writings.
Many original uses of the term were related to philosophical argumentation, emphasizing self-evident truths.

Philosophy

In philosophy, truisms are often used to highlight the difference between significant claims and those that are universally acknowledged.
Truisms can serve as starting points for deeper discussions about ethics or morality, as they frame commonly held beliefs.
The concept underlines how humans tend to rationalize their understandings of the world through universally accepted ideas.

Literature

Writers often use truisms to create resonance with readers, tapping into widely recognized ideas.
Famous literary quotes sometimes become truisms due to their repeated use and universal agreement, such as 'time heals all wounds'.
In poetry, a truism might serve as a foundation for exploring more complex themes, allowing readers to connect easily.

Psychology

Psychologists study how people react to truisms, noting that they often reflect common cognitive biases and belief systems.
Truisms can affect decision-making, as individuals may conflate these obvious statements with deep insights.
The 'illusion of validity' can occur when people accept truisms as the basis for their judgments, overlooking the complexity of situations.

Pop Culture

In modern discourse, truisms are often used sarcastically to critique superficial understanding, especially in social media debates.
Popular memes frequently highlight truisms to humorously emphasize common life experiences, making them more relatable.
Reality television often features truisms as catchphrases, as they resonate with viewers’ everyday observations.

Translations

Translations of the word "truism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 truísmo

🇮🇳 सर्वविदित सत्य

🇩🇪 Binsenweisheit

🇮🇩 kebenaran yang sudah jelas

🇺🇦 банальність

🇵🇱 oczywistość

🇯🇵 自明の理 (じめいのり)

🇫🇷 évidence

🇪🇸 perogrullada

🇹🇷 aşikar gerçek

🇰🇷 자명한 이치

🇸🇦 بديهية

🇨🇿 otřepaná pravda

🇸🇰 otvorená pravda

🇨🇳 显而易见的道理

🇸🇮 očiten resničnost

🇮🇸 þekkt sannindi

🇰🇿 анық ақиқат

🇬🇪 ცნობილი ჭეშმარიტება

🇦🇿 aydın həqiqət

🇲🇽 perogrullada

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,060, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22057 atrocity
22058 dissimilarity
22059 judgmental
22060 truism
22061 diluent
22062 tabloid
22063 parsing
...