Definition of storynext
1
as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel he's a talented writer, but his quirky stories will never find a wide readership

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2
as in anecdote
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally Grandpa is always telling stories about what it was like growing up on a farm

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3
4
5
as in whisper
a rumor or report of a personal or sensational nature stories going around that the old man had died with thousands of dollars hidden under his mattress

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6
7
as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the story proceeds at a pace that many readers will find a bit too leisurely

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8
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances management is trying to figure out what the story is with the accident down in the warehouse

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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 story Cartoonists on Dolly Parton's life and legacy Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles. The Week Us, TheWeek, 29 Aug. 2026 Clips from her witty interviews, filled with Old Hollywood stories and cigarette smoke, are shared often across social media. Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026 The five-story, 97,000-square-foot building opened Sunday after 18 months of construction. Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Read More TopicsVenice Film Festival Get the latest fashion stories, style, and tips, handpicked for you, everyday. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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
Noun
  • The National Park Service is asking for information about anyone who may have been hiking or backpacking along Bright Angel Creek in Arizona, as well as campers with plans to stay at Phantom Ranch or the Bright Angel Campground.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-392-4330.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 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
  • And in recent weeks, concerns about that history — including accusations of nonpayment and unlicensed screenings at the Kingsway — have traveled west through something of an industry whisper network, increasingly spilling into public view.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Higher still The whisper numbers are higher still, with analysts and traders thinking third-quarter sales guidance could reach $107 billion to $108 billion, and even as high as $110 billion.
    Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The airline unveiled new business-class seats for its Airbus A321XLR fleet, including lie-flat beds and privacy doors.
    Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The film follows an 11-year-old boy who exploits his brother’s tragic death to fight his father and his community, until his lies expose the hypocrisy and corruption beneath a seemingly moral society.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • He is accused of orchestrating the plot to fly hijacked passenger jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon.
    Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Part of the deal hinges on a future road connection that could make use of the plot immediately behind the house.
    Noah Daly August 27, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The Samuels’ run, however, was the spark that lit the fuse after the Caravan was denied on a fourth-and-short situation on its opening possession.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Fed policy uncertainty, the Middle East situation, and an earnings season burdened with high expectations could all act as catalysts for fresh turbulence.
    , CNBC, 28 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

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Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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