as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel
pressed for time, many English teachers have their students read the one novella among the novelist's works
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Recent Examples of novella
But then came her debut in Parineeta, with her role based on a well-rounded character in a popular novella.
—
Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 20 May 2025
The Life of Chuck (June 6) Horror director Mike Flanagan has adapted two of Stephen King’s novels in the past (Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep), but this take on the 2020 novella of the same name is more tear-jerking than terrifying.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
The genre trappings are all there for a blockbuster, but the brand, which includes novels, novellas and short stories, is thin on plot, light on description and only a few of its supporting characters are memorable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
The Slammed series in order: Slammed (2012) Point of Retreat (2012)
This Girl (2013)
The Hopeless series
Like Slammed, Hoover’s Hopeless series — consisting of three novels and two novellas — was originally self-published.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for novella
Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 20 May 2025
The Life of Chuck (June 6) Horror director Mike Flanagan has adapted two of Stephen King’s novels in the past (Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep), but this take on the 2020 novella of the same name is more tear-jerking than terrifying.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 16 May 2025
The genre trappings are all there for a blockbuster, but the brand, which includes novels, novellas and short stories, is thin on plot, light on description and only a few of its supporting characters are memorable.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
The Slammed series in order: Slammed (2012) Point of Retreat (2012)
This Girl (2013)
The Hopeless series
Like Slammed, Hoover’s Hopeless series — consisting of three novels and two novellas — was originally self-published.
—Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for novella
Recent Examples of Synonyms for novella
Noun
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The revelation of Izzy and Ferd’s son is sketchy; a suicide tale lacks a set-up or point; intriguing female bonds are underwritten; and all-too-familiar tropes associated with spousal violence weaken the work.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 June 2025
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If your job has been affected, or fear automation may come next, this isn’t a cautionary tale.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
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There are honestly a number of pretty good performances this season (Ivanek is consistently entertaining) but they’re all dragged down by a terrible script and a story that keeps going nowhere fast.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Her story as a young, dedicated fossil collector inspired Swiss director Marcel Barelli, whose own passion for paleontology followed him into adulthood.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Novella.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/novella. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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