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
Recent Examples on the Web
Hammer leavens the central drama with a subplot involving Amanda’s daughter Sara and her burgeoning love affair with a local boy, emphasizing Amanda’s dilemma, having to play mother to her mother and let her little girl go.
—
Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
The dynamic between Devers and top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who’s fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, will be one of this season’s more compelling subplots.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Not a single line of dialogue feels unnecessary, or a subplot tangential.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
There’s a lot to take in — probably too much, with the myriad subplots stretching the film to a bloated 140 minutes.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
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Damon Wise, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2026
The dynamic between Devers and top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who’s fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, will be one of this season’s more compelling subplots.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
Not a single line of dialogue feels unnecessary, or a subplot tangential.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
There’s a lot to take in — probably too much, with the myriad subplots stretching the film to a bloated 140 minutes.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 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 26 Feb. 2026.
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subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
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