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
But White Zombie was certainly the one that codified so many of the zombie tropes later movies would follow.
—
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
But don’t patronize McConnell by limiting him to such tropes.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (1987)
$10
The tropes and unique sensibilities and perspectives of Southern literature converge with mid-20th century, smirky, winsome comedy writing.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Ghostface gave us the definitive horror villain of the '90s, the opening sequence with Drew Barrymore and a telephone remains an all-timer, plus its cleverness hasn't waned since horror tropes never die.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
But don’t patronize McConnell by limiting him to such tropes.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (1987)
$10
The tropes and unique sensibilities and perspectives of Southern literature converge with mid-20th century, smirky, winsome comedy writing.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Ghostface gave us the definitive horror villain of the '90s, the opening sequence with Drew Barrymore and a telephone remains an all-timer, plus its cleverness hasn't waned since horror tropes never die.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trope
Noun
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Answers vary from obvious to obscure, some citing culture or clutch performances, while others cling to cliches that this club is turning into truths.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
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To fall back on one of horror marketing’s favorite cliches, the man has a twisted mind.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The notion that Trump is the wrong answer to the right question has become something of a truism for liberals.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
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With Section 899, Republicans are trying to test the truism about two wrongs not making a right.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trope. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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