Tautology (Noun)
Meaning 1
(logic) a statement that is necessarily true; "the statement `he is brave or he is not brave' is a tautology".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Useless repetition; "to say that something is `adequate enough' is a tautology".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The politician's claim that he would "work hard every day" was a tautology, as it was assumed a priori that he would be diligent in his duties.
- To say that the fire was extremely hot was a tautological statement, as fire is, by definition, hot.
- The phrase "free gift" is a tautology, as a gift is inherently free of charge.
- The phrase "new innovation" is a tautology, as innovation implies something new and original.
- The instruction to "repeat again" is a tautology, as to repeat means to do something again.