Stepford
Britishadjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of Stepford
C20: from The Stepford Wives (1972), a book by US writer Ira Levin which depicted a neighbourhood in which men turn their wives into placid and obedient robots
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The late 1960s and ‘70s delivered a host of classic horror films, from “Rosemary’s Baby” to “The Exorcist” to “The Stepford Wives” to “Alien.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2025
The film’s trailer shows Kidman living a Stepford Wives-style life in a small town, with a forced smile as she declares “it’s just perfect”.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2025
The publisher bills “One of Our Kind” as “‘Get Out’ meets ‘The Stepford Wives,’” which is a provocative combination that’s sure to spark book club conversations for years to come.
From Seattle Times ● May 14, 2024
Its staff will forgo scrubs for bespoke costumes resembling clerics or Stepford wives.
From New York Times ● Feb. 29, 2024
I am going mad having meetings on Ira Levin’s The Stepford Wives, which I am adapting for the Silver Screen.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
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