stereotype 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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
But this category belongs to Rhys, whose small-town mayor in Widow’s Bay defies comedy and horror stereotypes. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 Everyone knows the outdated and offensive characterization of a cat lady — a stereotype conjuring images of solitude, eccentricities and probably cartons of ice cream. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
Sleep apnea is still stereotyped as affecting older, overweight men, which means women’s more subtle symptoms are often not thoroughly investigated by doctors. Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Along with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the foundation also partners with schools and community institutions to educate the challenging effects of stereotyping, unconscious bias, and representation imbalance of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and persons with disabilities. Carole Horst, Variety, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stereotype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stereotype
Noun
  • As the ideas evolved, the story of Shaun being a mad scientist emerged as an early concept the team loved.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Its Asaya wellness concept comes with a full-size swimming pool and offers various dining options from Masayoshi Takayama’s Tobi Masa to New York cult favorite Carbone’s first outpost in London.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But 1984 is continuously overused by fans as evidence of what the program can achieve.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Schleicher pointed to China, Japan, Singapore and Estonia as countries that have succeeded in using AI to support learning without overusing it.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This fall, New York museums are mounting an intriguing mix of shows that speak to notions of girlhood, nostalgia, and feminine self-expression across time, cultures, and creative disciplines.
    Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
  • As Nora’s feelings for Thomas butt up against her wish for a full-time offer at Platen, her romanticized notions of the people and place come crashing down.
    Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
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
Noun
  • This is, of course, the conception of fundamentalist theology, which threatens eternal hellfire for anyone who defies its commandments.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Whether destruction or technological progress, both are purposeful activities, each with different conceptions of success or failure.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After three to four days, the larva hatches and uses sharp mandibles to bore into the still-living tarantula.
    Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The machinery that collapsed was a drill rig, which was boring holes for the pilings to support the weight of the supertall skyscraper that will go up on the site.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • One of my favorite moments comes when an excited classmate emerges from the library holding a new book of feminist literary theory.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Annie Dillard, the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Holy the Firm, An American Childhood, and many other major works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and theory, died at the age of 81 on September 15 at her home in Massachusetts.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The successful release proved that Linkin Park was here to stay, and also that the nu metal subgenre the band helped popularize at the turn of the century was not done ruling the airwaves.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Of course it’s also known for its authentic dishes that helped popularize Mexican food in the area and its strong margaritas.
    Richard Guzman, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stereotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stereotype. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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