short stories

noun

plural of short story
as in stories
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

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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 stories Her poetry, essays, and short stories have appeared in various publications and anthologies including the New York Times, Take the Mic, Color Outside the Lines, Vampires Never Get Old and A Universe of Wishes. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 In fact, studies have found that readers sometimes prefer ChatGPT’s prose or short stories to the human variety—but sour on them when informed about the AI’s involvement. — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 According to EduTopia, putting images and short stories or quotes around the classroom can inspire students and give them a greater sense of belonging. — Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026 The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty Published in 1980, this collection brings together Mississippi writer Eudora Welty’s celebrated short stories, all teeming with her sensitive eye for details and landscapes. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 The project is based on four short stories by Mariana Enríquez and tells the story of Ema, a woman with the ability to see and hear the dead. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 That’s the opening line of the latest in our Flash Fiction series of very short stories for summer. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 In addition to acting, Beaumont wrote screenplays, radio scripts, and short stories for magazines. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 In many classic short stories, the real action occurs in the silences. — Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short stories
  1. stories
  2. tales
  3. novellas
Noun
  • As a dad of two daughters, Murdy said he’s made a conscious effort to create strong female-centric original stories like KILLceañera for Horror Nights.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The current building code typically allows a single staircase for residential buildings with three stories or less.
    — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of stories
Noun
  • As is common with these tales of sliding doors, the narrative isn’t linear.
    — Emmalee Reed, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps this saga of planetary conquest is also a sly commentary on Hollywood imperialism, in which even the most far-flung of small-town tales must be overwhelmed by big-name stars in visual-effects drag.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of tales
Noun
  • There have always been short books, some traditionally noted as novellas (20,000-40,000 words), yet not marketed as such.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The series currently encompasses nine sub-series arcs, standalone novels, novellas, English-language manga and graphic novels.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of novellas

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short-spoken
short stories
short story
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Cite this Entry

“Short stories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20stories. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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