stereotype 1 of 2

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

as in to overuse
to use so much as to make less appealing Movies have stereotyped the domineering mother-in-law ad nauseam.

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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
Unlike great white sharks off the coast of Australia or blacktip reef sharks in the Florida Keys, Pacific sleeper sharks don’t fit the stereotype of one of the ocean’s fiercest predators. Irene Wright july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025 The musical uses all the key plot points while editing out a handful of outdated stereotypes. Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Verb
Her writing resonated with me as the father of a respectful, intelligent kid who may be stereotyped while wearing a black hoodie. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 All the focus on weight neglects the very real risk for developing an eating disorder during this phase of life, in part because eating disorders are still so often inaccurately stereotyped as only a teenage affliction. Time, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stereotype
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stereotype
Noun
  • For his new concept revitalizing the former Nash & Proper space, Jimenez is taking inspiration from popular fast food chains such as In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which have compact menus with high-quality ingredients.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
  • One of the biggest challenges Pavone faced after launching was educating the consumer around this new concept.
    Yola Robert, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • That also means there’s less risk of accidentally overusing them.
    Iman Balagam, Vogue, 26 July 2025
  • For instance, common side effects of overusing aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs (or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include peptic ulcers, GI bleeding, acute kidney injury, and even chronic kidney disease.
    Dr. Baibing Chen, CNBC, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • In the four decades since James introduced the notion, John Henryism has found much broader cultural traction.
    Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Flair had Bliss’ back throughout the match and a big boot to Rodriguez sealed that notion.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025
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
  • Ever since his rise to power, Trump has served as a vulgarizing agent.
    Leon Neyfakh, Slate Magazine, 2 June 2017
Noun
  • Experiences are incredibly expensive to develop, and take years from conception to completion (Disney CEO Bob Iger says that the parks typically take as long as two years to develop, and another five years to build).
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
  • The idea is to incubate original ideas from their conception through to commercialization and provide IP owners with advice on strategy, branding building, content development and making cash.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • Traditional charity films often swing between two extremes: earnestness that bores or sensationalism that exploits.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • There’s a reason the Chiefs’ offense has put so much time and effort into it, rather than throw up their hands after last year’s time and effort bore little fruit.
    Sam McDowell Updated July 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Keep reading to dive into the infamous true crime case, including what investigators believe happened, the theories surrounding the murders and the latest developments in DNA technology that could help solve them.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The class will draw on the reinstallation of the museum’s North Wing, 15th to 16th-century history and the theory behind art collection.
    Violet Bucaro, AZCentral.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Its clunky nature and hefty weight, popularized by OG brands like Rocket Dog, was certainly not for everyone.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 July 2025
  • Askren recently signed with Real American Freestyle, the Hulk Hogan venture hoping to popularize professional freestyle wrestling.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stereotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stereotype. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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