as in cliche
an idea or expression that has been used by many people
a screenplay that reads like a catalog of mystery-thriller tropes the narrative trope of two rival characters falling in love by the end of the story
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trope
One thing that’s interesting to me about that is the way in which a remarkably distinct and idiosyncratic visual style can so quickly become a generic trope.
—
David Wallace-Wells, Vulture, 7 May 2025
Paul Feig explains Blake Lively 'curveball' in 'Another Simple Favor'
'Heart Eyes'
The horror rom-com juggles the many tropes of both its genres, but this gory slasher romp also boasts an impressive mean streak, entertaining leads and an excellent hook.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Craig is self-reflective while being appropriately reverent to the tropes of the genre.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
The big difference with this show is that the romantic elements are limited to heterosexual stereotypes and binary man/woman theater tropes.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
David Wallace-Wells, Vulture, 7 May 2025
Paul Feig explains Blake Lively 'curveball' in 'Another Simple Favor'
'Heart Eyes'
The horror rom-com juggles the many tropes of both its genres, but this gory slasher romp also boasts an impressive mean streak, entertaining leads and an excellent hook.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Craig is self-reflective while being appropriately reverent to the tropes of the genre.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
The big difference with this show is that the romantic elements are limited to heterosexual stereotypes and binary man/woman theater tropes.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trope
Noun
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The old cliche about a blind squirrel seems apropos for this group.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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All while staying far, far away from the tropes and cliches associated with your typical medical drama.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Democrats who look to California for inspiration would do well to keep that simple truism in mind.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
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All the players corroborate a truism: Politics attracts deformed personalities featuring an insatiable lust of power for the sake of power to fuel self-esteem.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trope. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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