Sentence:  It is <WSD>trite</WSD> history – and <WSD>trite</WSD> law – to say that the law of the sea since that time [World War II] reflects a history of coastal State expansion. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Often in reference to a word or phrase: used so many times that it is commonplace, or no longer interesting or effective; worn out, hackneyed.