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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 trope
Episode 4 flips the script on the trope of a friend screwing up by mouthing off to the wrong person at the worst time.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
Its characters represent tropes of teenage experiences through cover songs from popular musicals.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Protests against the war in Gaza, which spread across college campuses but found a locus at New York's Columbia University, were viewed by some in the Jewish community as promoting antisemitic tropes and encouraging violence against Jews.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Given the familiar tropes of underdog sports movies, My Sunshine takes a turn that sends the narrative in an unexpected, but satisfying, direction.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
Its characters represent tropes of teenage experiences through cover songs from popular musicals.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Protests against the war in Gaza, which spread across college campuses but found a locus at New York's Columbia University, were viewed by some in the Jewish community as promoting antisemitic tropes and encouraging violence against Jews.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Given the familiar tropes of underdog sports movies, My Sunshine takes a turn that sends the narrative in an unexpected, but satisfying, direction.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trope
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trope
Noun
-
Together’s cast and special effects department alone could make for a substantive horror classic, but the script is freighted with distracting cliches and errant plot developments.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 July 2025
-
Bana embodies Kyle’s suffocating cliches with endearing commitment, his gravelly voice, gentle countenance, and steadfast capability combining to form a recognizable portrait of pride and suffering.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
17 July 2025
Noun
-
River Of Constant Change This (above) truism was offered by Jonny Williams, chief digital adviser, UK public sector at Red Hat.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Now, as the president considers more forceful action against Russia, his party is sifting through signals of his future direction — even as Trump follows the truism that presidents’ foreign policy rarely conforms to a single identity.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trope. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share