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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Hugh Grant gives it the old college try with a Cockney accent as the villain, but a movie-star subplot never gets off the ground, perhaps because the movie star is played by Josh Hartnett and everybody knows Josh Hartnett isn’t a movie star.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 27 May 2025
There are entire subplots involving an upscale gallery, a sort of Gagosian that deals in alien artifacts, some perhaps forged.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Going into the Knicks’ second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, one of the biggest subplots was how Kristaps Porzingis would fare against his former team.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
The subplot of Kelly trash-talking Jim’s ping pong skills is pretty great, too.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 6 May 2025
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Will Leitch, Vulture, 27 May 2025
There are entire subplots involving an upscale gallery, a sort of Gagosian that deals in alien artifacts, some perhaps forged.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
Going into the Knicks’ second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, one of the biggest subplots was how Kristaps Porzingis would fare against his former team.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
The subplot of Kelly trash-talking Jim’s ping pong skills is pretty great, too.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 6 May 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 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
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