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 Those grassroots efforts have produced both heartwarming stories and controversy. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Share a meaningful story with a mentor or a relative far away, because seeing the bigger picture can soothe worries and recenter your priorities. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026 Gil was trapped beneath more than 100 tons of rubble after the partial collapse of the Galerias Playa Grande commercial center, which includes buildings nine and four stories tall. Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 There is a Liberty Bell, a gift from King Louis XV of France, that predates the larger and more famous one in Philadelphia, and there’s an American story that predates America’s founding 250 years ago. Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story
Noun
  • The agonizing legal circus surrounding Sumner Redstone’s final years at Paramount/Viacom is a sobering cautionary tale.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • The past few summers have seen nightmare tales from heatwaves in Europe — the continent with the fastest-rising temperatures under global warming.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • One expert noted that turning satellite data into information useful to firefighters and forestry managers will take some time.
    Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Hart went into writing the ballad with that information, but the rest was up to him.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • The platform has featured traditional adverts for bets, but CazéTV’s commentators have also promoted betting during the games, blending advertising with commentary of the action on the pitch.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Test your knowledge of cruise controversies, wedding whispers and more in this week's American Culture Quiz.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Sleep in peace with this tower fan, which is whisper-quiet at 25 decibels.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • The plane also includes a spacious press cabin, according to a pool reporter onboard, with lie-flat seats that feature a massage function and individual TV screens.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • The press cabin contains 14 lie-flat pods, including large tan leather seats with luxury features such as lumbar supports and massage functions.
    Emily Chang, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Prosecutors say the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries via the pipelines and prevent Russia from using the revenues from natural gas trading to finance its military operations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • That minimalist approach to plot has allowed the show to find its own lane.
    Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • There was at least one person who thought to protest over the situation.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Vozinha continued his impressive World Cup on Friday with eight saves, including a fantastic stop of a clean shot from Messi in a one-on-one situation.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The whole gang is back, ready to play their parts in this never-ending novella.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Based on a Stephen King novella, the period prison drama became a cult favorite thanks to video rentals and cable reruns.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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