as in clichés
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 tropes
While embracing familiar tropes, They Cloned Tyrone weaves an original story that stands out as a diamond in the thick of many Netflix duds.
—
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
But much of Orbán’s criticism of the Central European University has been directed personally at Soros, who is Jewish, often deploying antisemitic tropes in what has become a crusade against the billionaire philanthropist.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
Because another person will perpetuate the same tropes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Creating this distinct sense of place, without employing gimmicky tropes (all too easy to do in a place like Hawaii, where a little puka shell goes a long way), is what makes Hualālai stand out on an island of upscale resorts.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Still others are repeating the same tropes that have plagued college sports for more than a decade.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Those beliefs extended into the most severe antisemitic tropes and beliefs.
—Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
The film, which debuted on Netflix April 1, deploys a deliberately eccentric tone, mixing slapstick, satire and spy-thriller tropes with Das’ irreverent comedic sensibility.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Nguyen said working with trans writers meant being able to laugh at typical tropes in storytelling and get right to work.
—Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Apr. 2026
But much of Orbán’s criticism of the Central European University has been directed personally at Soros, who is Jewish, often deploying antisemitic tropes in what has become a crusade against the billionaire philanthropist.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026
Because another person will perpetuate the same tropes.
—Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Creating this distinct sense of place, without employing gimmicky tropes (all too easy to do in a place like Hawaii, where a little puka shell goes a long way), is what makes Hualālai stand out on an island of upscale resorts.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Still others are repeating the same tropes that have plagued college sports for more than a decade.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Those beliefs extended into the most severe antisemitic tropes and beliefs.
—Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
The film, which debuted on Netflix April 1, deploys a deliberately eccentric tone, mixing slapstick, satire and spy-thriller tropes with Das’ irreverent comedic sensibility.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Nguyen said working with trans writers meant being able to laugh at typical tropes in storytelling and get right to work.
—Candace Hansen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tropes
Noun
-
The play isn’t subtle; the final sequence leans hard on truisms about addiction and trauma, which are affecting but overly explicit.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
-
One of the truisms in the past for Team Canada at some best-on-best events is needing a few games to find its game.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The chef wrote around 40 sayings and gathered more from his Instagram followers.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The final section contains a collection of Akbar’s epigrammatic sayings.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But for UConn, the platitudes feel profoundly honest.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Donovan reiterated a series of platitudes that haven’t changed during his time with the Bulls.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tropes. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
