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
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
He was nominated in the category of Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for his role as serial killer Ed Gein in Monster.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025
Struzan partnered with artist Charles White III for 20th Century Fox to create the old-fashioned one-sheet that perfectly captures the spirit of classic Saturday matinee serials.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
Adjective
The first season ended with some cliffhangers, including a serial killer called the Game Maker threatening Morgan's family, and the reveal that her ex-husband, Roman, who disappeared 15 years ago, is alive.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
He was nominated in the category of Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for his role as serial killer Ed Gein in Monster.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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
Struzan partnered with artist Charles White III for 20th Century Fox to create the old-fashioned one-sheet that perfectly captures the spirit of classic Saturday matinee serials.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serial
Adjective
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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
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In China, stores turned sales receipts into serialized fiction, printing 20 chapters of a compelling narrative featuring its mascot, Snow King, and sparking a nationwide craze.—
Theodora Yu,
Fortune,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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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
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His houses were featured in such prominent periodicals as Life magazine in the 1950s and Vogue in 1972.—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That’s when a staff member at the Examiner suggested that authorities send the fingerprints using the newspaper’s new Soundphoto machine — an early version of a fax machine.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
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Bertetto said Wednesday that the Tribune-Review is committed to ensuring that Pittsburgh has a newspaper of record and shares in the loss of a historic pillar in the Post-Gazette.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The details of the team’s research were published in the journal Science Robotics.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
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Keep your favorite books, journals, and crafts close by in your office, or add this wood display shelf to show off your book collection in your living room or bedroom.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The season will be based on an original script after season 1 was based on May Cobb's book of the same name.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Quince Organic Airy Gauze Bed Blanket Complete the look of your hotel-worthy bed with a lightweight cotton bed blanket that can act as both an extra layer of warmth at night or the perfect oversized throw for afternoon naps, movie nights, and cozy mornings with your favorite book.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The container had 18 rifles, five handguns, firearms magazines, over 36,000 rounds of ammunition and a silencer that had been shipped from Miami.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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People magazine featured comedian Heather Shaw's wedding to Kentucky attorney Lilly Jean Coiner at the 21c Museum Hotel in Louisville.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serial. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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