1. Plural of bromide; chemical compounds containing bromine, especially potassium bromide or sodium bromide, historically used as sedatives.
Usage: chemistry; medicine (historical)
2. Trite, dull, or unoriginal statements or ideas; platitudes.
Usage: figurative; informal

Examples

• The doctor prescribed bromides to help the patient sleep.
• His speech was full of bromides about hard work and perseverance.
• Instead of offering real solutions, the politician resorted to bromides.
• The self-help book repeated the same bromides found in dozens of others.
• Sodium bromide was once commonly used as a sedative in the 19th century.
• She dismissed his advice as nothing but tired bromides.