stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt 

ˈstir-

1

a

: conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type

Infection causes a stereotyped physiological response in vertebrates characterized by fever and depression of plasma iron and zinc concentrations.

—Science

b

: conforming to or characteristic of a stereotype of a simplified or prejudiced nature

… sports that allow women participants to remain true to the stereotyped expectations of femininity (such as being graceful and nonaggressive) and that provide for beauty and aesthetic pleasure.

—Nathalie Koivula

also : lacking originality or individuality

It was primarily a comedy of intrigue based on a few stereotyped situations and primary emotions: love, jealousy, honor, vengeance.

—John A. Crow

2

medical : characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance : marked by stereotypy

Motor tics, which are repetitive, involuntary stereotyped movements, most often involve the mouth, face, head, or neck muscles …

—Thomas M. Hyde et al.

Autism's hallmarks are a delay in language development, an inability to relate to other people and stereotyped or rigid behavior.

—Erica Goode

Synonyms

• banal
• cliché
• cliche
• clichéd
• cobwebby
• commonplace
• hack
• hackney
• hackneyed
• moth-eaten
• musty
• obligatory
• shopworn
• stale
• threadbare
• timeworn
• tired
• trite
• well-worn

Choose the Right Synonym for stereotyped

trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest.

trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.

all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Examples of stereotyped in a Sentence

the wacky neighbor and other stereotyped characters seen on TV sitcoms

Recent Examples on the Web

Our outlets deserve to have a seat at the table especially because mainstream media has historically ignored, marginalized and stereotyped Black people in their coverage. —William Earl, Variety, 7 July 2024

These include the daily grind of bias and harassment in the workplace, as well as the multitude of microaggressions—subtle negative, condescending, or stereotyped comments and actions that may or may not be intentional. —Matthew Connelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2023

Author Patric Gagne, a successful therapist who’s married with kids, writes of her lifelong (and largely successful) struggle to quash her more violent urges, and argues that the condition is widely misunderstood, grossly stereotyped, and likely under-diagnosed. —Dan Heching, CNN, 27 June 2024

His lack of bombast lets the actors who are stuck with the more stereotyped roles (such as Paul Adam Schaefer, who is playing conniving villain John Jasper) modulate them a little. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed

ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt,

ˈstir-

: following a pattern : lacking originality

stereotyped characters in the book

Medical Definition

stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt 

ˈstir-

1

: conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type

Infection causes a stereotyped physiological response in vertebrates characterized by fever and depression of plasma iron and zinc concentrations.

—Science

2

: characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance : marked by stereotypy

Motor tics, which are repetitive, involuntary stereotyped movements, most often involve the mouth, face, head, or neck muscles.

—Thomas M. Hyde et al.

Autism's hallmarks are a delay in language development, an inability to relate to other people and stereotyped or rigid behavior.

—Erica Goode