PHATIC Synonyms

• following accepted customs and proprieties

• (weapons) using energy for propulsion or destruction that is not nuclear energy

• unimaginative and conformist

• conforming with accepted standards

• represented in simplified or symbolic form

• in accord with or being a tradition or practice accepted from the past

• rigidly formal or bound by convention

• holding or containing nothing

• a container that has been emptied

• devoid of significance or force

• needing nourishment

• emptied of emotion

• make void or empty of contents

• become empty or void of its content

• leave behind empty; move out of

• remove the contents of a container

• excrete or discharge from the body

• being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)

• (of spoken and written language) adhering to traditional standards of correctness and without casual, contracted, and colloquial forms

• a lavish dance requiring formal attire

• a gown for evening wear

• characteristic of or befitting a person in authority

• represented in simplified or symbolic form

• logically deductive

• refined or imposing in manner or appearance; befitting a royal court

• lacking sincerity

• having no meaning or direction or purpose

• producing no result or effect

• morally or legally constraining or binding

• required by obligation or compulsion or convention

• dull and tiresome but with pretensions of significance or originality

• showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

• not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others

• marked by refinement in taste and manners

• of or relating to or characteristic of religious rituals

• of or relating to or employed in social rites or rituals

• any customary observance or practice

• the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies

• stereotyped behavior

• of or characterized by or adhering to ritualism

• concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually

• of, affecting, or being on or near the surface

• of little substance or significance

• occurring on or near the surface of the skin

• hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

• in a set manner without serious attention; as a formality

• done or produced as a formality only