as in serialized
appearing in parts or numbers that follow regularly
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" first appeared as a serial novel from 1851 to 1852
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as in periodical
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the university library has a vast collection of serials
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Recent Examples of serial
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (2003) used the serial killer genre to explore the country’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Lillard is perhaps known for portraying Stu Macher — one-half of the horror-obsessive-turned-serial-killing duo, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis — in the 1996 original, which has since spawned a decades-long franchise.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
Adjective
By the time Linda has become a serial killer, however, the restraint feels a little silly.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder (2003) used the serial killer genre to explore the country’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Fantomas was first adapted for the big screen by into a silent crime film serial directed by Louis Feuillade for Gaumont in 1913.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Lillard is perhaps known for portraying Stu Macher — one-half of the horror-obsessive-turned-serial-killing duo, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis — in the 1996 original, which has since spawned a decades-long franchise.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serial
Adjective
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That's just the way that the escalating serialized drama has to be built.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
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Each set comes with a serialized Certificate of Authenticity and the final lot, set number 232, also comes with the three original dies used to strike the coins.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The periodical, which began in 1818 in Maine, has long covered a wide variety of topics, including long-range weather forecasts, moon phases and astronomy, gardening advice, recipes, and practical advice.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
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Designate a place near the entryway for all mail, periodicals, and paper forms.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The injection allegations were first reported by the German newspaper Bild last month.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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On Wednesday, the Washington Post laid off one-third of its staff, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage in a widespread purge at the storied newspaper owned by billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.—
Matt Ott,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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The study, which was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, had several limitations, the researchers acknowledged.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Grosz’s new book, Love’s Labor, recounts this and many other sessions from the past few decades of his work as a psychoanalyst.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the substructure (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website.—
Katie Parla,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her modeling has led her to become a founding member of Victoria’s Secret’s VS Collective helping to reshape the brand’s image, and she was recently featured on the cover of Time magazine.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
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When not risking her neck performing acrobatic tricks on skis, Eileen Gu loves to strut down runways and pose for magazine covers as a model.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serial. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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