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 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 His works include several collections of short stories and novels. — Literary Hub, 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
  • During their visit, the wife talked incessantly, sharing stories about their family members in great detail.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Elwood’s conversations with CNN were peppered with alarming stories and punctuated by his broad, disarming laugh.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of stories
Noun
  • In forums on Reddit, women share tales of having perimenopause and menopause symptoms misdiagnosed or dismissed as mental health disorders, early-onset dementia, or autoimmune issues, resulting in months or years of unnecessary testing.
    — Yulin Hswen, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Vedder’s elliptical tales of adolescent trauma were a perfect fit with music that blended classic-rock tropes (especially McCready’s solos) with punk energy, grunge guitar tones and the groove-heavy vibe of early-Nineties alt-rock.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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