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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Chibnall and series director Chris Sweeney’s cast is quite capable — Rizwan, a scene stealer in Netflix’s Kaos, and Mylchreest, part of the most annoying subplot in Netflix’s Hostage, are among the standouts.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Mansfield Park contains a slow burning love story with Fanny’s cousin Edmund and delicious subplots concerning two charming, selfish siblings, but of chief interest are Fanny’s two aunts.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
And the Alexander Ovechkin versus Ivan Demidov subplot could be fun.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
And of course, the subplot here is Ole Miss’s coaching situation.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Mansfield Park contains a slow burning love story with Fanny’s cousin Edmund and delicious subplots concerning two charming, selfish siblings, but of chief interest are Fanny’s two aunts.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
And the Alexander Ovechkin versus Ivan Demidov subplot could be fun.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
And of course, the subplot here is Ole Miss’s coaching situation.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subplot
Cite this Entry
“Subplot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subplot. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
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