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
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Recent Examples of short story
The film is adapted from short story Hungry Heart by Israeli author Eshkol Nevo, whose work previously inspired Moretti’s 2021 film Three Floors Up.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, based on James Thurber’s 1939 short story, starred Ben Stiller in the role of the daydreamer made famous by Danny Kaye in the 1947 Samuel Goldwyn original.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
This is not surprising, considering that Gallant was one of the most prolific short story writers of her era.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2025
While navigating a foggy, desolate Derry, Marge jumps behind the wheel of a milk truck, which may or may not be a nod to a pair of bizarre short stories collected in King's 1985 collection Skeleton Crew.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short story
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, based on James Thurber’s 1939 short story, starred Ben Stiller in the role of the daydreamer made famous by Danny Kaye in the 1947 Samuel Goldwyn original.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
This is not surprising, considering that Gallant was one of the most prolific short story writers of her era.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2025
While navigating a foggy, desolate Derry, Marge jumps behind the wheel of a milk truck, which may or may not be a nod to a pair of bizarre short stories collected in King's 1985 collection Skeleton Crew.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
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Some readers might expect an indictment of fan fiction and celebrity culture; Yi swerves, though, and creates a more searching and subversive tale of love, connection, and art.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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In pitting his offspring against each other in a battle for the family empire Rupert Murdoch became part of a tale as old as time… A tale well told in Gabe Sherman’s Bonfire of the Murdochs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This single-story home boasts a generous living space with four bedrooms and two baths.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And since Freida McFadden’s book series that the movie is based on has three installments (plus one novella), this may not be the end.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Art of Conjuring is the first novella to be released by the press.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The video evidence also appears to undermine elements of the government’s narrative of what happened.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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The designers certainly seized on a volcanic narrative—the dark lava rock remains, setting a sultry tone and carving out a serene central pool.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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