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
The episodic subplots hopscotch between pop culture references, urban odysseys and, of course, animal puns.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The subplot here is how much power O'Connell really has now that Adofo-Mensah is gone.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
In one of this picture’s more intriguing twists on the material, Shakespeare’s invading Norwegian prince, Fortinbras (whose subplot is often excised entirely in movie adaptations), now becomes an encampment of activists pushed out of their homes by the Elsinore Corporation.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Through all these threads, The Audacity throws itself headlong at some of tech’s biggest hot-button topics, including privacy, AI and, in an oddly halfhearted subplot involving JoAnne’s son, Everett Bliunck’s Orson, the manosphere, with an eye as cold as its characters.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subplot
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Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The subplot here is how much power O'Connell really has now that Adofo-Mensah is gone.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
In one of this picture’s more intriguing twists on the material, Shakespeare’s invading Norwegian prince, Fortinbras (whose subplot is often excised entirely in movie adaptations), now becomes an encampment of activists pushed out of their homes by the Elsinore Corporation.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Through all these threads, The Audacity throws itself headlong at some of tech’s biggest hot-button topics, including privacy, AI and, in an oddly halfhearted subplot involving JoAnne’s son, Everett Bliunck’s Orson, the manosphere, with an eye as cold as its characters.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 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 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subplot
noun
sub·plot
ˈsəb-ˌplät
: a subordinate plot in fiction or drama
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