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 The program pairs mentors and students to develop short stories that will be performed on stage by actors at the culmination of each school’s program. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026 The world of June Marple, the elderly amateur detective Christie featured in a dozen novels and 20 short stories, is considerably quainter. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026 Its digital platforms Drafting and Reign have now generated more than 1B impressions across Substack, IG and TikTok, with multiple original short stories published on Drafting now being developed for television. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026 Other British stars to have teamed up with Noiser include Dame Julie Andrews, who narrated an adaptation of Emma, and Hugh Bonneville, who narrated some Sherlock Holmes short stories. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 The location is where famed writer Edgar Allan Poe began penning short stories and launched his literary career in the 1830s. — CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 Atlanta author Lydia Mathis’ literary debut features candid, revealing short stories. — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026 The original lyrical idea for this came from me reading Damon Runyon books, short stories based in the ‘30s and ‘40s. — Craig Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short stories
  1. stories
  2. tales
  3. novellas
Noun
  • The histories, stories and insights into personalities will be lost forever.
    — Gary Barron, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • When researchers tell stories about people who are victims of crimes—ranging from having an iPad stolen to being raped—such victims are seen as virtuous, more moral and more trustworthy than comparable people who have not been victimized.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of stories
Noun
  • Amused, the actor offered a gentle lesson in mixing the perfect vodka and orange juice—just one of countless tales this legendary hotel has collected over nearly a century.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • As always, a conversation with Moby is a fascinating journey, from lessons on fame to tales of hanging with David Bowie and Lou Reed.
    — Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tales
Noun
  • There are eight books total, but one is a collection of five prequel novellas.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of novellas

Browse Nearby Words

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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 12 Nov. 2026.

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