stereotype 1 of 2

noun

Definition of stereotypenext
as in concept
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation the noble savage was a stereotype that appealed to 18th-century intellectuals, who viewed European civilization as decadent and corrupt

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stereotype

2 of 2

verb

ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīp How to pronounce stereotype (audio)
as in to overuse
to use so much as to make less appealing Movies have stereotyped the domineering mother-in-law ad nauseam.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stereotype
Noun
Each one functions like a coarse grain of sand, eroding the certainties and stereotypes that harden racial discourse. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Known for his multifaceted career in television, film, stand-up and more, Lopez has constantly embraced his heritage and shattered stereotypes. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
When younger generations don’t have interactions or relationships with older adults having vibrant lives, later chapters of life can be stereotyped as a time of pain, difficulty and loss, Emery-Tiburcio said. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 May 2026 At a time when younger workers are often stereotyped as quick to abandon jobs that feel difficult or unrewarding, Dimon said discomfort is part of the process. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for stereotype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stereotype
  1. concept
  2. overuse
  3. notion
  4. vulgarize
  5. conception
  6. bore
  7. theory
  8. popularize
Noun
  • The first concept art for the film was revealed during the Disney Entertainment Showcase presentation at the D23 fan event Friday, along with some new plot details.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Owners Jordan Smelt and Katie Barringer have carried over the same love for wine and books into their second concept.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of concept
Verb
  • Our experts said many off-the-shelf stainless steel cleaning products can actually cause buildup and dull your appliance over time—so don’t overuse them.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026
  • While the analogy may be slightly overused, the challenge is that oil still needs to be refined into a useful end product.
    — Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of overuse
Noun
  • Paul Schmidt, a Covington & Burling trial attorney representing Meta, contested O'Neill's arguments, and disputed the notion that Meta executives misled the public with their statements about child safety.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Ogunyemi rejects the notion that encouragement is merely a soft leadership practice that can’t be connected to measurable business outcomes.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of notion
Verb
  • His versions were full-blooded, with lush strings and reasonably large orchestras — and, purists alleged — vulgarizing distortions.
    — BostonGlobe.com, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Oct. 2019
Definition of vulgarize
Noun
  • At another point on the pop spectrum, artists are toying with the conception of rock music in the popular imagination.
    — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For well over a century now, families have sported rows of rictus grins for the camera, but the subgenre of family portraiture (and, later, video clips) dedicated to conception, gestation, and birth is very much a product of the social media age.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conception
Verb
  • As its name suggests, the beetle bores into trees, drilling tunnels to create breeding galleries.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Needless to say, Parker and Stone quickly got bored with the subject, adding a subplot that saw Obama teaming up with his apparent nemesis John McCain to dig a tunnel from the Oval Office to the Smithsonian and steal the Hope Diamond.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of bore
Noun
  • Quanta spoke with Cao about evidence for the programmed theory of aging, what happens at each stage, and why aging mammals are like trees shedding leaves.
    — Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The sheriff's office also sought to rebut theories that had circulated publicly about the case, including claims that evidence was missing or the crime scene had been manipulated.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of theory
Verb
  • The timeless, effortlessly cool silhouette has been hot for decades; Jennifer Aniston helped popularize it in the ‘90s and, yes, is still wearing it today.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026
  • That idea is fairly commonplace now—but that’s because Perel helped popularize it.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of popularize

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Cite this Entry

“Stereotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stereotype. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stereotype

Nglish: Translation of stereotype for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stereotype

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