stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt How to pronounce stereotyped (audio)
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
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views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date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 Across the country, place names are being replaced with their Indigenous ones, statues of conquistadors and commanders in the Indian Wars are being taken down, and sports teams are ditching their stereotyped Indigenous mascots. Alex Seitz-Wald, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023 Throughout his 40-year career, this award-winning artist has transformed the history of oppressed and stereotyped segments of the American experience into lyrical two-dimensional master works. Okla Jones, Essence, 31 Oct. 2023 That film — an orgy of violence perpetrated by stereotyped Blacks against White damsels in distress — was so popular it was treated to a special screening at Woodrow Wilson’s White House. Wil Haygood, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023 Among this armory of social signals are stereotyped, formal invitations to potential mates. James Shreeve, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 But the first blush at the field reveals a big problem for the Republican Party and its stereotyped image as white dudes running the world between tennis matches at the country club. Philip Elliott, TIME, 5 Oct. 2023 Hartnell had been known for playing authority figures and heavies, and saw Doctor Who as a way out of this stereotyped rut. Cameron K McEwan, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2023 The plaintiffs accuse the Ivy League institution’s admissions officers of discriminating against Asian American students in a subjective component of the application review process, deducting points over stereotyped assumptions about the applicants’ personalities. Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 20 June 2023 Chatfield says that the producers wanted to avoid tokenism, as well as stereotyped portrayals of people of colour on the show. Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 20 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stereotyped.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stereotyped was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near stereotyped

Cite this Entry

“Stereotyped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotyped. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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 How to pronounce stereotyped (audio)
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

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