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tale

noun

ˈtāl How to pronounce tale (audio)
Definition of talenext
1
as in story
a rumor or report of a personal or sensational nature don't believe the tales you hear about our neighbor's kid

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Relevance
2
as in anecdote
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally asked Dad to tell once again the tale of how, as a kid, he broke his arm jumping out of a tree

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3
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive told tall tales in an attempt to impress me with her supposedly upper-crust background

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in novella
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel the oft-told tale of Sleeping Beauty

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5
as in count
a total number obtained or recorded by noting each thing as it was being added when the tale of the dead from the disaster is announced, the city will be in shock

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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 tale The countess’ tale highlights the obsession with women’s appearances across time while adding to the show’s fun campiness and gothic nature. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 Like other Murphy productions, including The Ed Gein Story and American Horror Story, The Lizzie Borden Story anachronistically incorporates other notorious killers into its tale. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026 The Legend of Lizzie Borden was the first of many adaptations of this tale. — Steve Belanger, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Donaldson herself has said this gallopingly rhythmic tale is one of her favourites. — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tale
  1. story
  2. lie
  3. novella
  4. count
  5. whisper
  6. tally
  7. score
Noun
  • Whether Arnault can leverage his track record across multiple international brands to help reverse Nike's fortunes while cementing his position within the Arnault family's succession landscape remains a story that will unfold soon.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Bible readers may wonder how this fit with Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac at God’s command, and philosophers have occasionally tried to reconcile the two stories with textual twists.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • This is a melodrama of malicious secrets and manipulative lies that may lead to divorce, desertion and even death.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The film follows an insecure MBA student who fakes a broken ankle and poses as a medical student to win over a free-spirited woman who lives for music and dancing, only to see his lies unravel as real feelings take hold.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of lie
Noun
  • The company is working on a feature adaptation of Pulitzer Prize finalist Torrey Peters’ novella Stag Dance and a feature romantic comedy from Carly Usdin and Brittani Nichols featuring WNBA players Gabby Williams, Theresa Plaisance, and Syd Colson.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Deep in the Pyrenees mountains, a young man, Miquel, struggles in the wake of his mother’s death in a snowstorm — a tragic event that was at the center of Tóibín’s 2006 novella, A Long Winter.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of novella
Noun
  • Follower count became the shortcut brands used to decide who was worth paying, how much a partnership might cost and how much attention a campaign could potentially generate.
    — Sergi Cerrato, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Using the Census Bureau’s official poverty count, that anti-poverty spending comes out to $35,000 in annual expenditures for every person in poverty, or $181,000 per family in poverty.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of count
Noun
  • At a time when so much contemporary art jockeys to be spectacular, Op de Beeck’s whispers, both commanding and requiring your attention.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In a fitting homage, the whiskey's whisper of a smoky, campfire-like finish sets it apart among Kentucky's expansive bourbon scene.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of whisper
Noun
  • This is thought to have bought Roman an additional four years of life, bringing the tally to 18 years.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Armstrong also said regulation will be coming for crypto regardless of the vote tally.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of tally
Noun
  • The Buffs totaled 348 yards but managed only one third-quarter score.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After South Dakota tied the score at 24-24, Madsen led the offense on one last methodical drive, covering 75 yards in nine plays to give Boise State the lead back.
    — Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of score

Phrases Containing tale

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taking up with
tale
talebearer
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Cite this Entry

“Tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tale. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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