as in cliche
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
a screenplay that reads like a catalog of mystery-thriller tropes the narrative trope of two rival characters falling in love by the end of the story
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Recent Examples of trope
Nothing rings more true than the trope of the restless adolescent.
—
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 7 June 2025
Although Joe’s doctor reiterates this point, there are parts of Rosemead that edge too closely to tired tropes of mental illness.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
Many have been quick to call out the series' outdated plotlines, from transphobic jokes to problematic tropes that haven't aged well.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
As soon as the report was issued, this trope was picked up uncritically by the news media, before the report’s citation errors were discovered.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 7 June 2025
Although Joe’s doctor reiterates this point, there are parts of Rosemead that edge too closely to tired tropes of mental illness.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
Many have been quick to call out the series' outdated plotlines, from transphobic jokes to problematic tropes that haven't aged well.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
As soon as the report was issued, this trope was picked up uncritically by the news media, before the report’s citation errors were discovered.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trope
Noun
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There’s a warmth to the movie that makes its cliches feel earned, not lazy.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Wilson delivered platitudes and cliches at the podium, but ultimately so far, the offense’s play has not been anywhere close to good enough in the open practices thus far.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Bear in mind the truism that stock markets can always go down as well as up.—
Dr. Ronald Premuroso,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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According to Joyce, however, this truism depicts both Bloomsbury and the Victorians as monoliths and prevents a nuanced understanding of the complex ways Bloomsbury engaged with its Victorian past.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trope. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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