short story

Definition of short storynext
as in tale
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

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 short story While James Bond was also partial to the odd negroni, and drank them in Fleming’s 1960 short story Risico. Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Fewer than half of all adults reported reading a book of any kind in 2022; only 38 percent read a novel or short story. Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 Mollner revised the script that has an initial draft from Brian Duffield and is based on author Philip Fracassi’s short story Fail-Safe. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026 In many classic short stories, the real action occurs in the silences. Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
  • The tale begins with a successful novelist in late middle age boarding a train after a publishing event.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Politicians in both parties often used tales of Medicaid fraud on the part of providers and recipients to justify tighter eligibility rules and spending cuts.
    Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike the low-tech solution in American author Mary Mapes Dodge's 19th-century story, modern dike patrols are able to plot possible problems caused by drought in an app and send it to authorities who can then quickly carry our repairs.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That episode inspires a Gospel story where Jesus is asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat during a furious storm.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Paramount Pictures is also developing Hendrix’s novella Bad Asstronauts.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • Truman Capote, who wrote the original novella, had drawn inspiration from the blonde bombshell — something Ferrer believes may have made the role less appealing.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
Noun
  • The main event between top babyfaces Rhodes and Punk, while a compelling narrative, highlighted a repetitive formula of popular heroes clashing for world titles.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But while these narratives demonstrate local viability, translating them into a statewide apparatus under a Republican banner is a dead end.
    Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on short story

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster