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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in periodical
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the university library has a vast collection of serials
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of serial
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
As part of his guilty plea, Heuermann agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit to help catch other serial killers.
—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Apr. 2026
Having the right size pan for each task means everything comes together at the same time, rather than cooking in serial and serving a lukewarm dinner.
—
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serial
Adjective
This is very on-point serial-killer behavior.
—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
As part of his guilty plea, Heuermann agreed to cooperate with the FBI’s behavioral analysis unit to help catch other serial killers.
—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
Movies, especially science fiction serials, often told the same story.
—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Apr. 2026
Having the right size pan for each task means everything comes together at the same time, rather than cooking in serial and serving a lukewarm dinner.
—
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serial
Adjective
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The workflow is designed specifically for serialized formats, with support for recurring characters, multi-episode continuity, and high-volume studio output – functions that generic AI video tools have not prioritized.
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The Syfy-channel TV show Channel Zero uses some of the best known of these fables as fodder for serialized storytelling.
Noun
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The center’s resources—all free—include more than a million books and periodicals, with 400 terminals and 75 staff members available to help dig through them.
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Galaxy, Analog, and Amazing Stories, those three periodicals – and our bathroom was piled high.
Noun
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In print journalism, a newsletter was like a little brother to newspapers.
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In response, letters to the editor of Newsday, the Nassau County newspaper, poured in.
Noun
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Individuals are writing essays, organizing workshops, and debating in journals, while institutions and community groups are developing guidelines for how AI should be used in research and publication.
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Yet these hallucinations still make it into actual work products, including legal filings and research papers submitted to journals.
Noun
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Author Robert Wright joins The Excerpt to talk about his new book.
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But a copy of the Orlando Sentinel’s 150th anniversary book with 150 front pages from our 150 years.
Noun
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To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
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The essay was published in a magazine called Thirteen Ways.
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serial. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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