stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt 

ˈstir-

1

a

: conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type

Infection causes a stereotyped physiological response in vertebrates characterized by fever and depression of plasma iron and zinc concentrations.

—Science

b

: conforming to or characteristic of a stereotype of a simplified or prejudiced nature

… sports that allow women participants to remain true to the stereotyped expectations of femininity (such as being graceful and nonaggressive) and that provide for beauty and aesthetic pleasure.

—Nathalie Koivula

also : lacking originality or individuality

It was primarily a comedy of intrigue based on a few stereotyped situations and primary emotions: love, jealousy, honor, vengeance.

—John A. Crow

2

medical : characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance : marked by stereotypy

Motor tics, which are repetitive, involuntary stereotyped movements, most often involve the mouth, face, head, or neck muscles …

—Thomas M. Hyde et al.

Autism's hallmarks are a delay in language development, an inability to relate to other people and stereotyped or rigid behavior.

—Erica Goode

Synonyms

• banal
• cliché
• cliche
• clichéd
• cobwebby
• commonplace
• hack
• hackney
• hackneyed
• moth-eaten
• musty
• obligatory
• shopworn
• stale
• threadbare
• timeworn
• tired
• trite
• well-worn

Choose the Right Synonym for stereotyped

trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest.

trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.

all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Examples of stereotyped in a Sentence

the wacky neighbor and other stereotyped characters seen on TV sitcoms

Recent Examples on the Web

Tragedies can be examined by those outside of its sphere of destruction, but the groundswell of feeling from Mexican viewers and critics is that there was little or no care taken to understand the cultural grief beyond stereotyped spectacle. —Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

Founded by artists who grew up in Maryvale, Salcido said the purpose of Labor is to be the bridge that shows the artistic capacity and potential of Maryvale because the neighborhood is too often stereotyped, underrepresented and ignored. —David Ulloa Jr, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024

Chicano artists also critically reexamined stereotyped figures, such as the pachuco and pachuca, and retold current and historic events through artworks that questioned hegemonic narratives. —Mary Thomas, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019

Covino is also tasked with the least comedic role and excels at imbuing his character with enough nuance to be the one actor who transcends the script’s stereotyped trappings. —Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed

ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt,

ˈstir-

: following a pattern : lacking originality

stereotyped characters in the book

Medical Definition

stereotyped

adjective

ste·​reo·​typed ˈster-ē-ə-ˌtīpt 

ˈstir-

1

: conforming to a fixed or general pattern or type

Infection causes a stereotyped physiological response in vertebrates characterized by fever and depression of plasma iron and zinc concentrations.

—Science

2

: characterized by frequent repetition of the same, typically purposeless movement, gesture, posture, or vocal sound or utterance : marked by stereotypy

Motor tics, which are repetitive, involuntary stereotyped movements, most often involve the mouth, face, head, or neck muscles.

—Thomas M. Hyde et al.

Autism's hallmarks are a delay in language development, an inability to relate to other people and stereotyped or rigid behavior.

—Erica Goode