as in story
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally
told us once again that anecdote about the dog and the bike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 anecdote
The performance felt both virtuosic and repulsive, a goulash of hype, sloganeering, and calls to violence spiked with in-jokes, shaggy-dog anecdotes, and populist fables, all of it seductive and—in our dangerous era—familiar.
—
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
In the indie film, Hawke transforms himself into the diminutive composer, who regales attendees at Sardi’s bar with anecdotes about his career highs in the theater and bemoans the loss of his former partnership with Richard Rodgers.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
Trump led into these anecdotes by starting with an accusation that the Somali community of Minnesota was scamming the state.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
There’s a great anecdote when Paul visits Nashville in the summer of 1974 and tells guitarist Jerry Reed that Wings are going back out on the road.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anecdote
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
In the indie film, Hawke transforms himself into the diminutive composer, who regales attendees at Sardi’s bar with anecdotes about his career highs in the theater and bemoans the loss of his former partnership with Richard Rodgers.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 Feb. 2026
Trump led into these anecdotes by starting with an accusation that the Somali community of Minnesota was scamming the state.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
There’s a great anecdote when Paul visits Nashville in the summer of 1974 and tells guitarist Jerry Reed that Wings are going back out on the road.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anecdote
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anecdote
Noun
-
Like mentioned previously, the staff felt incredibly in touch with the guests of the 50-story hotel, creating a personalized experience that is a feat for the size of the hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The full text for this story was provided via a press release from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This spiritual sequel to ‘Frankenstein’ is a romantic tale of obsession, possession and fantasy — adjectives that also apply to its filmmaker, Maggie Gyllenhaal, who expends massive quantities of energy jolting it to life.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The romantic tale, of one kind of choice, is nested in a dramatic frame, of another choice, that’s at once local and international.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anecdote.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anecdote. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
