as in cliches
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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Recent Examples of tropes
While not specifically speculative fiction, the nonfiction narratives that students both read and produce serve as counter-narratives to the oppressive and harmful tropes in media more generally about Black girls and girlhood.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Aside from fake dating, the novel is full of beloved, albeit cheesy, rom-com tropes.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Punishing yet satisfying combat In reliable fashion, Art of Vengeance makes use of dozens of storytelling tropes from across ninja media.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
The book does make fun of other tropes.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
While some people in Hollywood are more than willing to make a Frankenstein film that explores AI themes, del Toro emphasized that his work focused on telling a story rooted in the original themes and tropes from Mary Shelley’s novel.
—Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The simple and classic wreath emulates harvest season, without all of the Thanksgiving tropes like pumpkins or squash.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Ferguson pulled from several famous mystery tropes to help craft her latest romance story.
—Rachel McRady, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Shrek became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its brazen skewering of fairy tale formulas and pop culture tropes.
—Skyler Trepel September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Aside from fake dating, the novel is full of beloved, albeit cheesy, rom-com tropes.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Punishing yet satisfying combat In reliable fashion, Art of Vengeance makes use of dozens of storytelling tropes from across ninja media.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
The book does make fun of other tropes.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
While some people in Hollywood are more than willing to make a Frankenstein film that explores AI themes, del Toro emphasized that his work focused on telling a story rooted in the original themes and tropes from Mary Shelley’s novel.
—Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The simple and classic wreath emulates harvest season, without all of the Thanksgiving tropes like pumpkins or squash.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2025
Ferguson pulled from several famous mystery tropes to help craft her latest romance story.
—Rachel McRady, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Shrek became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its brazen skewering of fairy tale formulas and pop culture tropes.
—Skyler Trepel September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tropes
cliches
Noun
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New novels are rightly praised for breaking with traditional forms and criticized for turning to stale formulas and cliches.—
Nathaniel Moore
September 10,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
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Just really not going to sit here and give some cliches.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tropes. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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