pleonastic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pleonastic" is an acceptable word in written English.
It is a word that means "needlessly wordy or redundant", and can be used to describe a statement that is overly verbose or contains unnecessary words. Example sentence: His speech was filled with pleonastic phrases that added nothing to the conversation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Certainly the speech he delivered in Chicago is a pleonastic masterpiece, distinguished not only by a high proportion of "Ands" but also by the frequency with which he repeated himself verbatim and the artful proliferation of synonyms- Sorrow and disynonyms- Sorrow and silently,""force andistress power"...not to mention "law and order," which he used three times.

The New Yorker

And I wasn't very invested in my study of the language initially, because the subjects about which I was passionate were math and physics, at which I was very good, while French, with its unfamiliar sounds and gendered nouns and pleonastic ne's, seemed perversely illogical and therefore extremely difficult.

The New Yorker

Alex Byrne calls this the "pleonastic sense of 'concept'" (Byrne 2005).

SEP

We will here discuss only Stephen Schiffer's (2003) theory of "pleonastic propositions".[8] Propositions exist, for Schiffer, but unlike rocks or cats, there is nothing more to them than what our concept of a proposition guarantees.

SEP

An original account of the possibility of entertaining true thoughts about non-existent objects, based on the contrast between pleonastic (or representation-dependent) and non-pleonastic (natural or substantial) properties, has been developed by Crane (2013).

SEP

However, he also sets out to show that such ontologies are not merely pleonastic, but also that an alternative account can be given free of all the difficulties mentioned.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pleonastic" to critically analyze writing where conciseness is valued, highlighting areas where superfluous language detracts from the overall impact.

Common error

Avoid using "pleonastic" as a general synonym for "complex" or "difficult". "Pleonastic" specifically refers to redundancy, not inherent complexity. Ensure the text truly repeats information unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The word "pleonastic" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something characterized by pleonasm, which is the use of more words than are necessary to convey an idea. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes something "needlessly wordy or redundant".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "pleonastic" describes language that is unnecessarily wordy or redundant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and defines its meaning accurately. While not frequently used, the word appears in various contexts, particularly in news, media and science. When using "pleonastic", it's important to ensure the text truly repeats information unnecessarily and is not just complex, and to consider alternatives like "redundant" or "verbose" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The word's formal tone makes it most appropriate for analytical or critical writing, rather than casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redundant

This alternative directly replaces "pleonastic" with a common synonym emphasizing the unnecessary repetition.

verbose

This term focuses on the excessive use of words, a key aspect of being "pleonastic".

wordy

This alternative highlights the excess of words.

tautological

This phrase points to the circular nature of the redundancy, where the same thing is said twice in different words.

excessively detailed

This highlights the unnecessary level of detail which may cause redundancy.

overly elaborate

Similar to verbose but emphasizes the unnecessary complexity.

long-winded

This term implies a drawn-out and unnecessarily lengthy expression.

full of repetition

This option directly describes the presence of repeated elements.

unnecessarily repetitive

This phrase underscores the redundant nature of the expression.

using more words than necessary

This alternative clearly states the core characteristic of "pleonastic" expressions.

FAQs

How can I use "pleonastic" in a sentence?

You can use "pleonastic" to describe writing or speech that is unnecessarily wordy or redundant. For example, "His speech was a "pleonastic masterpiece", filled with repetitive phrases."

What is a common mistake to avoid when using "pleonastic"?

A common mistake is using "pleonastic" to describe something that is simply complex or difficult to understand, rather than specifically redundant. It's crucial to ensure that the text repeats information unnecessarily.

What can I say instead of "pleonastic"?

You can use alternatives like "redundant", "verbose", or "wordy" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "pleonastic" language?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "pleonastic" language can be used intentionally for emphasis or rhetorical effect in certain contexts, such as satire or parody. However, use it sparingly and with clear purpose.