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
As the Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector once wrote in a wonderfully weird short story:
Few people desire true love because love shakes our confidence in everything else.
—
Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Apr. 2025
The short story and game largely follow the same premise, with a sentient supercomputer named AM wiping out humanity... except for five unlucky souls: Benny, Ellen, Gorrister, Nimdok, and Ted.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The short story collection was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pen America Open Book Award.
Thammavongsa, who immigrated to Canada as a child, pulled from her family’s experience as Laotian refugees to write the short story collection.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
That stung Fitzgerald, who had been developing the storyline through previous short stories and novels.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short story
Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Apr. 2025
The short story and game largely follow the same premise, with a sentient supercomputer named AM wiping out humanity... except for five unlucky souls: Benny, Ellen, Gorrister, Nimdok, and Ted.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The short story collection was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pen America Open Book Award.
Thammavongsa, who immigrated to Canada as a child, pulled from her family’s experience as Laotian refugees to write the short story collection.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
That stung Fitzgerald, who had been developing the storyline through previous short stories and novels.
—Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
-
But the most sobering cautionary tale comes from 1894, when a lighthouse keeper’s pet cat named Tibbles was introduced to Stephens Island in New Zealand.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Comments On Swift Horses is rife with drama — a tale of a love triangle between a young woman, Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones), her Korean War veteran husband Lee (Will Poulter), and his iconoclastic brother Julius (Jacob Elordi).—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
At the center of the most compelling stories lies a single, unshakable force: transformation.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The untitled drama is based on Kerr’s final book Metropolis, which told the iconic detective’s origin story.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Penned in 1942 on Long Island and published a year later, Saint Exupéry’s timeless novella feels more relevant than ever.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Most Carmen opera or ballet productions draw the story from the 1854 novella by French writer Prosper Mérimée — and generally are set in 19th century Spain.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Many are reshaping the narrative around contact lens care.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
-
As the draft enters its final day, Sanders has yet to be picked causing previous pre-draft narratives to resurface throughout the NFL media landscape.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share