stereotypical

adjective

ste·​reo·​typ·​i·​cal ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-kəl How to pronounce stereotypical (audio)
1
or less commonly stereotypic : conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type especially when of an oversimplified or prejudiced nature : of, relating to, or constituting a stereotype
Charlie Stuart represents a new breed of motorcyclists who are erasing the stereotypical black-leather-jacket, tough-guy image that plagued motorcyclists since the violent Hollywood productions of the Fifties.Sue Browder
His book concedes that progress has been made in a sheerly numerical sense, but it argues that overall the black presence on television has been an endless recycling of a passel of injuriously stereotypical images.John McWhorter
2
or stereotypic : of, relating to, or marked by stereotypy
a
medical : characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance
Other stereotypical behaviors such as hand flapping and chewing on clothing or objects may be connected to sensory processing problems or anxiety.Cori Urban
… periodic leg movements during sleep, commonly known as nocturnal myoclonus—rapid, stereotypic, and periodic flexion of the legs and feet associated with repeated awakenings throughout the night.Patricia N. Prinz et al.
b
veterinary medicine : characterized by abnormal repetitive behavior
Many animals cope with unstimulating or small environments through stereotypic behavior … such as pacing, bar biting …Laura Smith
stereotypically adverb
She wanted her staff to work together and get along. So on a hot July night, Katharine Graham did a stereotypically female thing: She threw a party. Judith M. Havemann

Examples of stereotypical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s a lot more to winter in Canada than the stereotypical cold and snow. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 Nothing new in a stereotypical Mexican family, but after this election, Mendoza feels greater tension and fear, especially for her partner. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2024 While some people experience stereotypical munchies, others find their appetites lessened. Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024 The shows featured stereotypical portrayals of cowboys, Indians, military members and outlaws who performed horse tricks and skits, including staging the Battle of Little Bighorn. Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stereotypical 

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stereotypical was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near stereotypical

Cite this Entry

“Stereotypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotypical. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

stereotypical

adjective
ste·​reo·​typ·​i·​cal ˌster-ē-ə-ˈtip-i-kəl How to pronounce stereotypical (audio)
variants or stereotypic
: of, relating to, or marked by stereotypy:
a
: characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance
Other stereotypical behaviors such as hand flapping and chewing on clothing or objects may be connected to sensory processing problems or anxiety.Cori Urban
… periodic leg movements during sleep, commonly known as nocturnal myoclonus—rapid, stereotypic, and periodic flexion of the legs and feet associated with repeated awakenings throughout the night.Patricia N. Prinz et al.
b
veterinary medicine : characterized by abnormal repetitive behavior
Many animals cope with unstimulating or small environments through stereotypic behavior … such as pacing, bar biting, and Gus' figure-eight swimming.Laura Smith
stereotypically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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