1
a
: a word or expression used in a figurative sense : figure of speech
b
: a common or overused theme or device : cliché
the usual horror movie tropes
2
: a phrase or verse added as an embellishment or interpolation to the sung parts of the Mass in the Middle Ages
: body characterized by (such) a state
allotrope
Examples of trope in a Sentence
Noun
a screenplay that reads like a catalog of mystery-thriller tropes
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
Those well-versed in cinematic tropes will know that these two are bound to spend time together outside of the dental office.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
The three Aud books are novels of character, crime fiction that uses the classic tropes of noir — first-person narrator, fast-moving prose, corruption in high places and crimes of desperation in the urban underbelly — without being noir.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Dylan, Kelly and Brenda The Dylan, Kelly and Brenda trifecta practically invented the love triangle trope on TV.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Parks and Recreation is about government; journalism is its own sphere that has its own ethics and history and tropes.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
Those well-versed in cinematic tropes will know that these two are bound to spend time together outside of the dental office.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
The three Aud books are novels of character, crime fiction that uses the classic tropes of noir — first-person narrator, fast-moving prose, corruption in high places and crimes of desperation in the urban underbelly — without being noir.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Dylan, Kelly and Brenda The Dylan, Kelly and Brenda trifecta practically invented the love triangle trope on TV.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Cite this Entry
“Trope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trope. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share