short story

Definition of short storynext
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

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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 story Michelsen, born in Tórshavn, is a bestselling author known for her poetry, short stories, and novels for all ages. Literary Hub, 19 June 2026 Known for shows like Eastbound & Down and the Righteous Gemstones, McBride brings his comedic genius to this debut short story collection that tells the stories of men coping with life’s tragedies, both big and small. Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 These invasion fictions took a range of forms, from short stories and pamphlets to novellas and full-length novels, and proliferated especially in the late-Victorian and Edwardian period leading up to World War I, which brought the subgenre’s brief flourishing to an end. Ivan Kreilkamp, JSTOR Daily, 10 June 2026 What prompted you then to revisit his short story year? Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
  • In the hands of Gillespie — whose specialty is edgy female-empowerment tales like the Oscar-winning I, Tonya and Cruella as well as the Emmy-winning Hulu series Pam & Tommy — how could the new Supergirl go wrong?
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • The final score doesn't tell the tale of this game.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • The Sacramento Bee published several notable stories Friday covering local government, public health and state worker policy.
    Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Hemingway, who championed self-mastery, gave the old fisherman in his novella exactly one consolation out there alone in the Gulf Stream, the thought of the great DiMaggio, who did everything perfectly even with the bone spur in his heel.
    Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 28 June 2026
  • Based on a novella by Neil Paik, who is adapting, the film’s logline is being kept under wraps.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • During his time in Lawrence, Peterson was short with explanations for his absences or altogether disinterested in providing any, a public-facing strategy that allowed others to take control of the narrative.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026
  • SpaceX went public on June 12, with AI central to its IPO narrative.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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