Definition of narrativenext
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as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel in such narratives as "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter," Edgar Allan Poe essentially created the modern detective story

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 narrative In the present day, Sarah Ridge Polson returns home to try and change the narrative. Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 Harald paid tribute to the Norwegian partisans who had fought alongside the Soviets during World War II, helping to restore the memory of a segment of the population that had long been marginalized in the official narrative of the war. Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 For me, that’s very much representative of their narrative arcs. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 However, manufacturing uncertainty when the research is sound can serve to reinforce power structures or political narratives. Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrative
Noun
  • Like all other alumni interviewed for this story, one of the first things Oberlander mentioned about her love for Killian was athletics — football games in particular.
    Austin Horn August 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Your stories are a great reminder of what sports teaches high school students about life.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Set in 1964 and based on a true story, the film tells the tale of a young journalist who tracks down a potential Nazi officer living secretly in New York and befriends the suspect’s charming wife.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Like James himself, the men are clever and bookish, writing letters or diaries, reading voraciously, and imagining themselves into tales of romance and Biblical comeuppance.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The beloved star also acknowledged the challenges of fitting eight decades of life into a stage musical, explaining that the creative team sometimes had to adjust the chronology while remaining true to her story.
    Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Over in Marvel’s territory, the X-Men had their whole chronology readjusted when a time-traveling mutant killed off Professor Charles Xavier, allowing Apocalypse to run rampant.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Nors is the author of the story collections Wild Swims and Karate Chop; four previous novels, including Mirror, Shoulder, Signal, a finalist for the Man Booker International Prize; and two novellas, collected in So Much for That Winter.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Based on the first novella in Martha Wells’ book series, Murderbot is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients, played by Skarsgård.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But Oxley, writing in a commentary, cautioned that there are logistical hurdles and said the value of Venezuela’s reserves may have been exaggerated under former President Hugo Chavez.
    Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Fed chairman, who took office in May for a four-year term, has so far shared very little commentary on the state of the economy or policy outlook.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This week, the Indiana Fever point guard became the first player in WNBA history with consecutive games of 30 points and 10 assists.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
  • As crowds gathered and the idea caught fire, Hard Rock began taking its particular mix of burgers, band tees, and music history around the world, eventually opening its first Asian cafe in Tokyo in 1983.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.
    Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of more than $50 million in cash seized from various accounts related to Ahmed, as well as two Rolls-Royces, a Lamborghini, a Mercedes and three luxury properties in Houston.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Some Republicans have expressed alarm about the findings in the report, which was filed under seal and withheld from the public by the courts.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Rogue OpenAI agents’ unprecedented coordination during the Hugging Face attack significantly increases the risk of AI escaping human control, analysts said, days after investigators released a bombshell report into the incident.
    Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrative. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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