as in hardcovers
a published work that has a thick paper cover
The store sells both paperbacks and hardcovers.
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Recent Examples of paperbacks
For years, mass-market paperbacks have been credited with making books more accessible and affordable.
—
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 23 Feb. 2026
Being able to pass the time reading without dealing with bulky paperbacks is a major improvement.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Stocking only paperbacks was a radical choice.
—Gioia Woods, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
The books, neatly shelved in alphabetical order, are available for 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hard cover titles.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
It was also named by Barnes & Noble as one of the best paperbacks of August 2025.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
The genre’s overreliance on pulpy paperbacks is turning into a problem.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
Then, one day, an army duffel bag of paperbacks arrived from my mother.
—Janet Rich Edwards, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Readers can also find paperbacks on sale for up to 25% off.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 23 Feb. 2026
Being able to pass the time reading without dealing with bulky paperbacks is a major improvement.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Stocking only paperbacks was a radical choice.
—Gioia Woods, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
The books, neatly shelved in alphabetical order, are available for 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hard cover titles.
—Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
It was also named by Barnes & Noble as one of the best paperbacks of August 2025.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
The genre’s overreliance on pulpy paperbacks is turning into a problem.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
Then, one day, an army duffel bag of paperbacks arrived from my mother.
—Janet Rich Edwards, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Readers can also find paperbacks on sale for up to 25% off.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paperbacks
books
Noun
-
Even after Paramount alleviated those concerns by letting WBD peer into Ellison’s books and making the Saudis nonvoting, non-board members, WBD still favorited Netflix.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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The best coffee table books do far more than fill empty space.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paperbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paperbacks. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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