Thesaurus results for SHORT STORY

short story

noun

Definition of short story

as in tale

a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel her very first short story was accepted for publication in a local journal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 short story Hancock wrote the script adapting the book by Matt and Harrison Query, which in turn was based on a short story by Matt Query that first appeared on Reddit. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 Hancock’s script is based on a viral horror short story by Matt & Harrison Query that first appeared on Reddit and later was adapted into a full-length novel. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026 Only 38% read a novel or short story, while reading for pleasure has dropped dramatically. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 That’s the opening line of the latest in our Flash Fiction series of very short stories for summer. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short story

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story

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

Definition of tale

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

Definition of story

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

Definition of novella

Noun

Artemis has an obvious narrative spine because its budget has one.

— Charlotte Kiang, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Many of these explanations proved wrong, yet commentators continue to reach for overly simple narratives to explain market moves.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Steven Tian and Stephen Henriques, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrative

Browse Nearby Words

short stories

short story

short subject

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“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of short story

noun

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