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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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
Meanwhile, an assortment of subplots compete for our flagging attention.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
One person who noticed the HBO-Showtime subplot in the Paramount-WBD merger is Robert Greenblatt, who has history at both networks.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
The most that the film can offer in the way of moral complexity is a subplot revolving around Becket’s late cousin Noah’s girlfriend, a manic pixie dreamgirl called Ruth (Jessica Henwick).
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
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Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, an assortment of subplots compete for our flagging attention.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
One person who noticed the HBO-Showtime subplot in the Paramount-WBD merger is Robert Greenblatt, who has history at both networks.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
The most that the film can offer in the way of moral complexity is a subplot revolving around Becket’s late cousin Noah’s girlfriend, a manic pixie dreamgirl called Ruth (Jessica Henwick).
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 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 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
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