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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
Historians and geographers have said for years that the long-outdated map is rooted in Western stereotypes. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026 Instrumentalist winner Mandy Far, who used to perform with Allison Russell and now is playing with the band Sway Wild, talked about facing gender stereotypes. — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 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
  1. concept
  2. overuse
  3. notion
  4. vulgarize
  5. conception
  6. bore
  7. theory
  8. popularize
Noun
  • Back in 2003, Merz introduced his famous tax return on a beer coaster concept, envisioning a simplified tax system where ordinary households could calculate their due taxes on a piece of paper the size of a beer coaster.
    — , CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Rob, Ajon and I were interested in pushing the concept of the biopic to its furthest reaches, closer to creative narrative nonfiction, like the great works of David Foster Wallace.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of concept
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
Definition of overuse
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
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
  • The French Catholic hierarchy strongly opposed the measures, in keeping with Catholic teaching that human life must be protected and defended from conception until natural death.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This implies that our own hindbrain is already represented by an exclusive lineage of cells distinct from the forebrain and midbrain just three weeks after conception, roughly when other major organs like the heart are distinguishing themselves.
    — Mike McRae September 21, New Atlas, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of conception
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
Definition of bore
Noun
  • During cross-examination on Tuesday, Kosowski asked a detective to lift a cart with a person onto a desk in an attempt to disprove the state's theory, which the judge did not allow.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The quest for real-life warp drives Einstein taught us that objects with mass can't accelerate through space beyond the speed of light, according to his theory of special relativity.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of theory
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
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 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stereotype

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stereotype

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