as in tales
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel
her very first short story was accepted for publication in a local journal
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Recent Examples of short stories
In 2011, researchers at UC San Diego conducted a study where participants were given short stories to read.
—
Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
His five collections and dozens of uncollected short stories also show a virtuoso at work and play.
—Jane Ciabattari
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
In the autumn of his life, Henry James went back to many of his novels and short stories, submitting them to revisions sufficiently far-reaching to keep scholars happily squabbling forever.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Enjoy their eclectic fiction, including short stories, thrillers, and a novel set in the milieu of fonts and typefaces.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
These short stories about scientists working at the leading edge of climate microbiology reveal the vital role microbes play in our biosphere and climate system, and illuminate new possibilities for collaborating with these incredible natural chemists.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Students should read Tabone’s article after reading the short stories.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
The original collection of short stories was published in 1950 and centered on Earth colonizing the Red Planet in a series of devastating expeditions, and its interactions with the world's psychic native inhabitants.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The show is described as the first contemporary English language television series adaptation of Christie’s novels and short stories featuring Tommy and Tuppence.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025
His five collections and dozens of uncollected short stories also show a virtuoso at work and play.
—Jane Ciabattari
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
In the autumn of his life, Henry James went back to many of his novels and short stories, submitting them to revisions sufficiently far-reaching to keep scholars happily squabbling forever.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Enjoy their eclectic fiction, including short stories, thrillers, and a novel set in the milieu of fonts and typefaces.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
These short stories about scientists working at the leading edge of climate microbiology reveal the vital role microbes play in our biosphere and climate system, and illuminate new possibilities for collaborating with these incredible natural chemists.
—Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Students should read Tabone’s article after reading the short stories.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
The original collection of short stories was published in 1950 and centered on Earth colonizing the Red Planet in a series of devastating expeditions, and its interactions with the world's psychic native inhabitants.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2025
The show is described as the first contemporary English language television series adaptation of Christie’s novels and short stories featuring Tommy and Tuppence.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short stories
Noun
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Author Alma Katsu and writer-librarian Becky Spratford sat down for a conversation to discuss exactly why readers are more interested in horror — including everything from ghost stories to tales of serial killers — than ever before.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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Some put feathers in their hair and spun unbelievable tales while casually slinging a sport coat over their shoulder (Coach from Tocantins).—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC's Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Don't miss out on our latest stories.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One of the authors that Covici brought along with him to Viking was a young writer named John Steinbeck; his company had published Steinbeck’s novellas Tortilla Flat in 1935 and Of Mice and Men in 1937.—
Paul Slovak
September 16,
Literary Hub,
16 Sep. 2025
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The four stories and three novellas within it are taken from books Lee published early in his career.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Short stories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20stories. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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