Science Fiction Tropes

noun an object in space with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape it

• Scientists have been studying the gravitational effects of a black hole for decades.
• Did you know that a black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape?
• Dude, black holes are like the ultimate vacuum cleaners of the universe!
• Her debt was like a black hole, constantly sucking in all of her money.

adjective having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding

• The author wrote the novel from an omniscient point of view, allowing readers to know the thoughts of all the characters.
• In the movie, the narrator is like an omniscient being who knows everything about the characters.
• Dude, it's like the main character is some kind of omniscient superhero or something.
• Her knowledge of the industry was so vast, it was as if she had omniscient powers when it came to predicting trends.

noun knowledge of something in advance; foresight

• Some people claim to have precognition, the ability to predict future events.
• I had a weird feeling about the outcome, like some sort of precognition or something.
• She's like a psychic or something, always talking about her precognition.
• His ability to anticipate market trends almost seemed like a form of precognition.

noun a rocket engine that is used to slow down a spacecraft or missile

adjective describing something that is characteristic of a style, fashion, or design from the past

• The retro rocket on the spacecraft was designed to safely slow down its descent back to Earth.
• Check out the cool retro rocket on that vintage spaceship!
• I wish my car had a retro rocket to help me beat traffic!
• Using meditation as a retro rocket, she propelled herself into a state of deep relaxation.

adjective relating to or involving telepathy, the supposed communication of thoughts or ideas by means other than the known senses.

• The researchers conducted a study on telepathic communication between twins.
• I swear we have a telepathic connection because we always finish each other's sentences.
• My best friend and I are so telepathic, we can practically read each other's minds.
• Their chemistry on stage was so strong, it was almost telepathic.

noun a mineral or substance that weakens or has a detrimental effect on someone or something, especially a fictional material that is the ultimate weakness of a particular superhero

• Scientists have identified kryptonite as the mineral that weakens Superman's powers.
• Dude, did you know that kryptonite is like Superman's weakness?
• That math test was my kryptonite, I totally bombed it.
• For many athletes, injuries are their kryptonite, hindering their performance on the field.

noun a type of hat made out of tinfoil, often associated with conspiracy theories

• Some conspiracy theorists believe that wearing a tinfoil hat can protect their thoughts from being read.
• My uncle swears by his tinfoil hat to block out government mind control.
• I can't take him seriously with that tinfoil hat on his head.
• She always wears a tinfoil hat when discussing politics, convinced that everyone is out to get her.

noun a region of space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter that is populated by numerous irregularly shaped asteroids

• The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in our solar system.
• Did you know that the asteroid belt is like a cosmic highway between Mars and Jupiter?
• The asteroid belt is like the 'no man's land' of our solar system.
• Navigating through life's challenges can feel like traversing an asteroid belt.