as in books
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the university library has a vast collection of serials
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of serials
Several companies have begun to supply bite-sized dramas and serials for venues like TikTok or Meta’s Reels.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 June 2026
This book got its start as part of the SCP Wiki, a collaborative writing space about fictional paranormal items and entities studied scientifically, and a lot of your previous works have been released as web serials.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
Despite his badass Mandalorian bounty hunter credentials, Djarin proves refreshingly vulnerable, with various bad guys getting the better of him so often the film begins to resemble one of those old-time movie serials whose installments always ended with a cliffhanger.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Movies, especially science fiction serials, often told the same story.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026
While Star Wars has historically borrowed its tone from B-movies and swashbuckling serials, Rogue One brought a new, more serious approach to its subject matter.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025
The franchise subsequently expanded with serials for radio and film — including Universal’s 1939 serial starring Buster Crabbe — as well as NBC’s Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, multiple comic and novel adaptations and a lucrative merchandising run.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Oct. 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
Weekly serials are compiled in paperback collections, called tankobon, that are sold in bookstores.
—Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 June 2026
This book got its start as part of the SCP Wiki, a collaborative writing space about fictional paranormal items and entities studied scientifically, and a lot of your previous works have been released as web serials.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
Despite his badass Mandalorian bounty hunter credentials, Djarin proves refreshingly vulnerable, with various bad guys getting the better of him so often the film begins to resemble one of those old-time movie serials whose installments always ended with a cliffhanger.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2026
Movies, especially science fiction serials, often told the same story.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Apr. 2026
While Star Wars has historically borrowed its tone from B-movies and swashbuckling serials, Rogue One brought a new, more serious approach to its subject matter.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025
The franchise subsequently expanded with serials for radio and film — including Universal’s 1939 serial starring Buster Crabbe — as well as NBC’s Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, multiple comic and novel adaptations and a lucrative merchandising run.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Oct. 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
Weekly serials are compiled in paperback collections, called tankobon, that are sold in bookstores.
—Matt Alt, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serials
Noun
-
Editors These workers prepare articles and books for publication, helping writers shape and structure their work and checking for accuracy and clarity.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
Zevin’s novel has been named one of the 100 best books of the 21st century by the New York Times and one of the best fiction books of the last 30 years by the Los Angeles Times.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
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.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Galaxy, Analog, and Amazing Stories, those three periodicals – and our bathroom was piled high.—
Ben Mankiewicz,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors, meanwhile, have alleged that Mangione meticulously planned the killing for months, documenting his thoughts in journals and traveling across the country before shooting Thompson in the back outside a business event in New York City, where neither of them lived.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
Under a subscription model, institutions and libraries that subscribe to journals cover the cost.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Growing up in Miami, he was surrounded by newspapers and television news.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
-
In letters published in the Nottingham newspapers, workers appealed to trade masters to stop their labor practices.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Introductory access is free, and NewsGuard is lining up a variety of marketing partners, including magazines and independent bookstores, to help spur usage.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
-
On top of being a drone expert, James is an award-winning freelance landscape and portrait photographer and photography journalist working with some of the best photography magazines and websites with a worldwide audience.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Serials.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serials. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
