folktales

plural of folktale
as in tales
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling

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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 folktales The body horror of birth gives way to the fairy-tale horror of early motherhood, which McBride, a translator based in Barcelona, strews with literary Easter eggs from folktales and Victorian poetry. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Disney made its name on the back of fairy and folktales, retelling centuries-old stories and giving them a fresh new spin for modern audiences. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026 Irving may have been influenced by German folktales about a man who slept for 20 years, or European stories of terrifying headless riders, but these stories were set in rural New York state, with a distinctly American voice and references. Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 From causing supernatural events to creating hysteria, our orbiting nightlight has always had legends and folktales written about it. Taylor Grothe, Parents, 28 June 2026 Traditionally played on string instruments like the dulcimer, fiddle, and banjo, this distinctly twangy genre passed down religious hymns, ballads, and folktales through generations. Hillary Richard, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 Comprising more than 300 folktales and legends from northern Norway, including many from the coastal Sámi and the Skolt Sámi of eastern Finland, this anthology shares narratives told by fishers, farmers, reindeer herders, lay preachers and teachers. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026 This ecology is woven into our folktales and culture. Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026 Below, see the streamer’s list of authors to watch, from contemporary folktales and family dramas to dark fantasy and spicy time travel tales. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktales
Noun
  • No two tales of what happened to Maelor after his knight protector was shot dead agree, but the young boy was also slain on the bridge, perhaps torn apart by the mob who assailed him, arguing over what to do with the young prince.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Writers who tell tales without accounting for the omnipresence of digital eyes and data trails do so at their peril.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The plan drew overwhelming backlash, with soccer legends and governing bodies blasting it for allegedly prioritizing shareholders over the game of soccer.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • But in a world where a few basis points separates legends from washouts, a 10-point edge is an enormous windfall for anyone who trusted Kalshi’s numbers over those crunched by CME, the giant futures-exchange operator.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The ByteDance app, for example, is directing users of its former AI companion service to another of its apps which solely focuses on building personalized AI characters and stories.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s a quick guide to recent Star-Telegram stories every Texas driver should know.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Three Myths About The Streamlined Program Even expats who learn the program exists often hesitate, usually because of three myths.
    Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Like all myths, that of Medusa plays upon the riddle of origins.
    Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The comic was first published in the 1950s, but the emphasis on last-gasp winners and talismanic performances continued until the mid-1990s — with narratives that cascaded through English football culture in the decades in between.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The event’s description and choice of speakers showed overlapping anti-government narratives used to garner sympathy for leftist and Islamic extremists alike.
    Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Depending on the source and legal process, the evidence can include phone-location data, internet search histories and chatbot prompts.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That trust is earned through a commitment to evidence, authenticity and scholarship and creates environments where visitors are more willing to engage with difficult histories, challenge assumptions and consider new perspectives.
    Ronald Leopold, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • At the heart of the show, there are several strong romances that — in success — would carry on over three seasons.
    Antonio Ferme, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Pulley’s latest balances macro stakes with delightful burgeoning romances and connections between unlikely allies thrown together against the unbelievable.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Folktales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktales. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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