in medias res

adverb in me·di·as res \ in-ˈme-dē-əs-ˈrās , -ˈmē-dē-əs-ˈrēz \

|Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of in medias res

: in or into the middle of a narrative or plot

Recent Examples of in medias res from the Web

The effect is to give the audience a little hint of in medias res characterization, before returning to the exposition-heavy Act One.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "The First Great Film Adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull," 24 Apr. 2018
Rather than start in medias res, Kenneth Womack’s biography of Martin goes, to invoke the title of one of Mr. McCartney’s later albums, back to the egg.

— dominic green, WSJ, "‘Big George’ and the Boys," 6 Oct. 2017
Starting in medias res in the mid-19th century, the book never addresses the question of how, say, the Puritan concept of America as the new Israel might have shaped the American Christian interest in the Ten Commandments.

— ruth graham, Slate Magazine, "Shalts and Shalt-Nots," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'in medias res.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.