as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive
did you really see a bear, or are you telling us another one of your fairy tales?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fairy tale
Amy gets her fairy tale ending, marrying Laurie.
—
Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
Many of his works double as fairy tales, and have been adapted into children’s books.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Divorce law wasn’t a big leap; here, too, were people who’d been banking on a fairy tale.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
So, yes, the Cinderella vibes are strong here, but Bridgerton is best when subverting the fairy tale tropes at its foundation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fairy tale
Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
Many of his works double as fairy tales, and have been adapted into children’s books.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Divorce law wasn’t a big leap; here, too, were people who’d been banking on a fairy tale.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
So, yes, the Cinderella vibes are strong here, but Bridgerton is best when subverting the fairy tale tropes at its foundation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fairy tale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fairy tale
Noun
-
Whenever the president floated some bizarre policy idea, issued a new threat, or told a brazen lie about the state of the economy, Hassett would be one of the first people on cable news justifying it.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Our entire relationship was built on a lie.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Yet this was the tale of two halves.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This is, in part, a cautionary tale.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This two-story home provides a generous living space with its four bedrooms and three baths.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
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.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fairy tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fairy%20tale. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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