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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 story Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025 This story has been edited and condensed. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025 Mostly Mute Monday tells a scientific story in images, visuals, and no more than 200 words. Big Think, 10 Nov. 2025 Canada has a mini goalie crisis on its hands, but that’s a story for another day. Chris Johnston, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story
Noun
  • Musicalizing the story does little to ground the audience in Jackie’s world and instead pulls and stretches the tale, when the themes alone could speak for themselves.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
  • As the title suggests, this sprawling tale centers on Raja, a man in his sixties who lives with his mother in Beirut, a city shaking with political and ecological turmoil.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial earned second place for commentary in a contest organized by America's Newspapers for his coverage of the failings of a city tax initiative that promised civic and economic restoration.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Dig deep and sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free Survivor Weekly newsletter to have all the latest news, interviews, and commentary sent right to your inbox.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Every offseason, the whispers of PGA Tour stars defecting to LIV Golf swirl like clockwork.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
  • This could trigger everything from whispers and misunderstandings to grudges that resurface in the group chat.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The lie that began James’s reign would have far-reaching consequences.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Directly underneath lies an open-air beach club with fold-down platforms that open to create roughly 645 square feet of space suspended above the water.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The show leans into this offensive, problematic plot device without any self-awareness.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • One with more context, a plot, character development.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Morant situation unfolded after the team's 117-112 loss to the Lakers, during which some perceived that the Grizzlies star displayed a lack of effort.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Running back Breece Hall, who reportedly requested a trade himself before the deadline, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson both took to X to share their thoughts on the situation.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The novella is a haunted house, dual point of view ride where the metaphors from the top down are consistently delivered.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Edgerton stars as an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest in the adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, which premiered at Sundance.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it is still undetermined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This story has been updated with additional information.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on story

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!