narrative

Definition of narrativenext
1
2
as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel in such narratives as "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter," Edgar Allan Poe essentially created the modern detective story

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 narrative Pelley is battling with CBS News chief Bari Weiss over control of the narrative. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 June 2026 Scholars began pushing back against that narrative before the United States' bicentennial, with the Prince of Wales writing a spicy rebuttal in 1972. ABC News, 3 June 2026 The residency match process often rewards candidates whose profiles are cohesive, whose clinical experience is substantive, and whose professional narrative is clear. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 June 2026 While staying faithful to the gothic tone and thrust of the story, the second book in the series once again turned the narrative in on itself by front-loading the perspective of chaos personified, Louis’ tortured and torturous lover, Lestat de Lioncourt. Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrative
Noun
  • Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 30 May 2026
  • This two-story house has three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
    Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • There is a little more to it, as the tale of the boy from Yonkers has some of the same up-and-down flair of the Knicks and Mets during his Hall of Fame career.
    Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • And hey, if this movie racks up the views, perhaps the next tale will make it to theaters, with bigger co-stars to boot.
    Mark Meszoros, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • The main thread initially was this idea of cross-pollination in terms of geography and chronology.
    Peter Larsen, Daily News, 27 May 2026
  • Break down the chronology of your and Christian’s relationship.
    Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Building on a concept devised by the director and producer Pierre-Henri Léon, Santiago Otheguy’s script plays fast and loose with Bizet’s opera and the Prosper Mérimée novella that inspired it — to the point of inventing an entirely new protagonist.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 May 2026
  • But this world premiere from writer Ashley Robinson at Chicago Shakespeare Theater actually is based on the source novella by Annie Proulx.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Issues have featured commentary from the likes of Republican Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, former Republican Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar and prominent conservative voices from across Latin America.
    Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026
  • Federal law protects certain uses of a celebrity’s image and likeness in cases involving parody, criticism, commentary and news reporting.
    Daryl Lim, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • The Canes have absolutely torn through the Eastern Conference en route to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.
    Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
  • Haaland could make history as the first female Native American governor if she’s elected.
    Erin Cox, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • That account of women in journalism was torturous to write.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
  • But DeGette’s team says rankings like that lack context and don’t take into account all legislative accomplishments.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Among frequent issues cited in the adverse event reports were administration of an extra or incorrect dose, issues with communication about a product, and prescribing errors.
    Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
  • On Thursday, May 28, the National Park Service (NPS) confirmed in a release that park rangers had received a report around midnight local time regarding the four people who had fallen.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrative. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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