narrative

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 In one study, psychologist Jonathan Adler followed a group of adults who wrote narratives about themselves over a period of 12 psychotherapy sessions. J. David Creswell, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2025 Its filmmakers know this and take full advantage, lingering over paintings and art objects imbued with weighty narrative symbolism. Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025 Few narrative tropes captivate the media more than an athlete overcoming personal adversity through excellence on the field. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2025 But Trump is a control freak with his political narrative. Chris Brennan, USA Today, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for narrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrative
Noun
  • 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.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Share stories of lateral moves in company updates—not as policy footnotes but as real growth journeys.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The two met in secret, and some versions of the story suggest their love lives on only in death, much like the Western tale of Romeo and Juliet.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
  • With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.
    Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The distinction between the two is that Tsushima deploys the more fantastical elements of her story not in order to negotiate historical chronology, but to undo it.
    Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
  • Indeed, the narrator’s desire for proximity to her mother forms the connective tissue stitching together the chronology of her childhood.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Adapted by Max Porter from his novella Shy, Steve has Oscar winner Murphy playing a headteacher during a pivotal day for students at a last-chance reform school and in a world that has left them behind.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
  • Each of the first four novels tells the love story of a hockey player, with the fifth being a novella collection of all four couples.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • The rout was just one goal shy of matching the Liga MX record for the biggest win in the division's history when Pumas UNAM dominated Veracruz 8-0 back in November 2007.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The Knicks are coming off their deepest playoff run in a quarter century; the Heat are coming off the most-lopsided playoff-series loss in NBA history.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Walking Dead actress' death was also announced in a post on her Instagram account.
    Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Researchers estimate that the actual number is even larger, taking into account births after the study's window concluded.
    De Elizabeth, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The narration during Ed Hamill’s flight talks about Folds of Honor’s mission.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Kivel’s narration remains droll and nonchalant, practically taunting the reader, as Evie’s circumstances become more and more absurd.
    Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Educating voters about his actual record is job #1 — especially his 99.2% record voting with Trump while President.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Former Mizzou walk-on Cody Schrader eclipsed 1,627 yards his final year in Columbia, setting the program’s single-season rushing record.
    Maddie Hartley August 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrative. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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