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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

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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 total, Higgins Clark wrote over 40 suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short stories
  1. stories
  2. tales
  3. novellas
Noun
  • Makary's time at the agency was defined by scientific disputes, leadership changes and a string of media stories detailing low morale and internal dysfunction among staffers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Movies bring audiences across the country the unique magic of sitting with their neighbors to see extraordinary stories told on the big screen at their local cinema.
    — Paul Gunsky, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of stories
Noun
  • Of all the stories and tales that Disney tells so well, perhaps none proved as fanciful, and lasted as long, as the fantasy that Bob Iger was going to retire.
    — Bob Chapek, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Two mysterious drifters never speak; their inner monologues carry us across absurdist one-liners, weird tales, and stream-of-consciousness musings.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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