subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät 
1
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
2
: a subdivision of an experimental plot of land
Examples of subplot in a Sentence
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Brad Pitt is doing great movie-star acting as the aging driver, and the film benefits from a good, old-fashioned romantic subplot with a winning Kerry Condon.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Aryna Sabalenka shoved aside a mountain of subplots and turned an enticing matchup against Naomi Osaka into a routine victory Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open, bulldozing her way through her fellow four-time Grand Slam champion with a 6-2, 6-4 win.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The matchup also came with a dugout subplot.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
As various subplots chugged along toward their combustion point, top dog Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his aggrieved nephew Michael (Finn Cole) had their final stand-off.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
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Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
Aryna Sabalenka shoved aside a mountain of subplots and turned an enticing matchup against Naomi Osaka into a routine victory Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open, bulldozing her way through her fellow four-time Grand Slam champion with a 6-2, 6-4 win.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
The matchup also came with a dugout subplot.
—Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
As various subplots chugged along toward their combustion point, top dog Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his aggrieved nephew Michael (Finn Cole) had their final stand-off.
—Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subplot
Cite this Entry
“Subplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subplot. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
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