history

noun

ˈhi-st(ə-)rē How to pronounce history (audio)
Definition of historynext
1
as in annals
an account of important events in the order in which they happened a history of the American civil rights movement during the 1960s

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in chronology
a relating of events usually in the order in which they happened we heard the whole history of her illness in excruciating detail

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in past
the events or experience of former times history has many lessons to teach us, if only we would listen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 history The massive jackpot — secured by matching white balls 4, 26, 66, 67, 69 and red Powerball 9 — was the eighth largest lottery prize in history, and the second largest in the state. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 Heilmann was a pioneering abstract painter who blended elements from pop culture, craft, and art history with ease and wit. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 On Friday, however, as the Dodgers evened the series with a 3-1 win against the Milwaukee Brewers, history didn’t repeat itself. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Lala making landfall on the Big Island would mark history, as a hurricane hasn’t done so in 155 years. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for history
Recent Examples of Synonyms for history
  1. record
  2. chronology
  3. past
  4. story
  5. commentary
  6. account
  7. report
  8. chronicle
Noun
  • Getty Images Scott Stornetta and Stuart Haber are two renowned founding fathers of Blockchain technology who devised the method of cryptographically linking records into a tamper-evident chain.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Walker and Pearce accounted for nearly 30 percent of Atlanta's franchise-record 57 sacks last season.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of record
Noun
  • After Transport Canada tested the Tesla Model 3 in 2023, Tesla was informed in 2024 that the vehicle's headlamp did not comply with low beam requirements, according to a Tesla chronology report for the recall.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • And then came up with the early Miasma, mid-Miasma, late-Miasma chronology.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of chronology
Noun
  • There are also a few cheeky nods to the area's Old West past, including saloon nights with live music and card games and outdoor firepits for roasting marshmallows.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Much of Disney’s studio showcase focused on sequels of franchises past and present.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of past
Noun
  • The week’s biggest stories Animal and pet sagas Big Bear celebrity eagle Shadow has been seen with a new eagle at the nest.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • As a preteen, I became absorbed in the life of Davy Crockett, Wild Bill Hickok and others through stories written for my age group.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • During this match, commentary announced that Nigel McGuinness suffered an injury against Shibata, and AEW will update his status in the Continental Challenge Cup on Monday.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sure, that’s commentary on the options from a 20-12 loss to the Rams in the two teams’ preseason openers that featured a laundry list of prominent absences.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of commentary
Noun
  • Reaves has a fully dedicated golf social media Instagram account, and right after retirement from the NBA, Smith joined the golf team at North Carolina A&T as a freshman walk-on.
    — Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Leeds United’s goalkeeper does not manage his social media accounts but his friends have kept him informed of the feverish reaction to his arrival.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of account
Noun
  • States are also setting up systems that may not adequately track pregnant and postpartum enrollees who should be exempt from the law’s new work requirements, erroneously dropping them from coverage, Burak’s report said.
    — Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Firefighters brought the blaze under control and the injured were taken to a hospital where some were being treated for burn injuries while others suffered from smoke inhalation and asphyxiation, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of report
Noun
  • Their stories are not chronicles of any time, place, or personality, but testimonies to the human spirit.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But unlike Brief History, which includes gay characters but mostly isn’t about them, The Disappearers also belongs with those earlier chronicles of gay America that Jordan and Eddy name-check, especially John Rechy’s The Sexual Outlaw.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of chronicle

Browse Nearby Words

histories
history
histrionic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“History.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/history. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on history

Nglish: Translation of history for Spanish Speakers

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