subplot

noun

sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
Synonyms of subplotnext
1
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
2
: a subdivision of an experimental plot of land

Examples of subplot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The aftermath of one of Otto’s decisions gives Beever as Léna some rich material to work through, but strands Machado-Graner to an extent, including in a short subplot that feels like it was plucked from an entirely different screenplay. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 20 May 2026 But Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed almost immediately veers off into wild subplots about murder, corruption, and corporate malfeasance, as if to emphasize that low-level romance scams are just the tip of the internet’s fetid iceberg. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 But a more intriguing subplot begins to take over when Diamond crosses paths with a mysterious woman in white (Rosemarie DeWitt), leading to a denouement that unlocks the secret behind his refusal to acknowledge the present. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026 The Avalanche forward wouldn’t say which current Golden Knights player is renting his residence in Las Vegas, but good luck finding a juicier subplot in this Western Conference Final than Roy’s full-circle trajectory over the past 11 months. Beth Rankin, Denver Post, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for subplot

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subplot was in 1812

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Cite this Entry

“Subplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subplot. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

subplot

noun
sub·​plot ˈsəb-ˌplät How to pronounce subplot (audio)
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama

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