as in notions
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 overuses
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 stereotypes
Chris Quintana, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The public defenders allege Tran led an investigation guided by stereotypes of Black men, resulting in the conviction of Steven Buggs, who was initially sentenced to 82 years to life in prison for the September 2012 killing of his close friend, Lester Young.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
His debut came at a time when stereotypes about intelligence and leadership were used to keep Black athletes out of the position.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Some people felt this was offensive to Southern culture and NASCAR fans for highlighting their negative stereotypes.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Sep. 2025
However, men often weigh the potential social costs before speaking up, which can lead them to not engage or to reinforce gender stereotypes.
—Colleen Tolan, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
Though gender stereotypes have persisted, Suni tells me that playing with LEGOs and doing gymnastics share a lot of common ground.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Many called out her sexualized album artwork, the singer being dragged across the floor by her hair—a choice some say promotes regressive gender stereotypes.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
So when new data emerged from a recent survey, which found that Gen Z respondents don't have emergency savings funds and rely heavily on credit cards, those who subscribe to stereotypes about young people might not have been surprised.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 Aug. 2025
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.
—Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Another exhibit examines the use of Native American imagery and stereotypes in American popular culture.
—Chris Quintana, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The public defenders allege Tran led an investigation guided by stereotypes of Black men, resulting in the conviction of Steven Buggs, who was initially sentenced to 82 years to life in prison for the September 2012 killing of his close friend, Lester Young.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
His debut came at a time when stereotypes about intelligence and leadership were used to keep Black athletes out of the position.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Some people felt this was offensive to Southern culture and NASCAR fans for highlighting their negative stereotypes.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Sep. 2025
However, men often weigh the potential social costs before speaking up, which can lead them to not engage or to reinforce gender stereotypes.
—Colleen Tolan, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
Though gender stereotypes have persisted, Suni tells me that playing with LEGOs and doing gymnastics share a lot of common ground.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Many called out her sexualized album artwork, the singer being dragged across the floor by her hair—a choice some say promotes regressive gender stereotypes.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
So when new data emerged from a recent survey, which found that Gen Z respondents don't have emergency savings funds and rely heavily on credit cards, those who subscribe to stereotypes about young people might not have been surprised.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
But while working mom and trad wife stereotypes reign online and in popular culture, many moms fall somewhere in between those two tropes.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
These words have different meanings in the context of AAVE, some say, and using them in a way that appropriates or stereotypes certain people groups strips away the importance of the original definitions.
—Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stereotypes
Noun
-
Regardless of fabrics and notions, even separate from subcategories like evening or outerwear, there are some considerations which remain consistent across all apparel design.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Das maintains a nuanced view of his role as a comedian, rejecting grandiose notions about speaking truth to power.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That’s important, since many people make the mistake—both in the gym and daily life—of shrugging their shoulders up to their ears, which overuses the upper traps and elevates the scapula.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One of the charming aspects of following foreign football is realising that certain concepts are expressed in different ways to how it’s done in your own country.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Elsewhere there will be Waiting For the Out, the adaptation of Andy West’s memoir written by Dennis Kelly about a philosopher teaching prisoners concepts such as dominance and free will only to have his own past unravel.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The whole ordeal exhausts the mother turtle.—
Taylor Hagood,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The idea of festivals just exhausts me.—
Meg Zukin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stereotypes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stereotypes. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share