short story

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

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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 As fiction films do something analogous to what is done in prose forms like the novel and the short story, so nonfiction films can have a broad choice of nonfiction literary models. Susan Sontag, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025 While it's widely known the movie was based on Daphne du Maurier's short story of the same name, a freak incident taking place in California two years prior to the film's premiere also served as inspiration. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 In the short story, the woman has been trying for years with her husband to conceive. David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 The anthology film comprises three short stories set at the titular house, each taking place in a different century. Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
  • This funny tale of unlikely heroism can be enjoyed either as a read-aloud or as a confidence booster for newly independent readers.
    Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The tale away from the playing field in recent years has been dizzying, one of soaring costs and debts, of quirks and chicanery unseen elsewhere.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The real story of the Elizabethan succession was altogether darker and more turbulent than Camden’s fiction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • This is the web version of Fortune Tech, a daily newsletter breaking down the biggest players and stories shaping the future.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Andrésen is known for his role in Death in Venice, Italian director Luchino Visconti’s adaptation of the 1912 novella of the same name by German author Thomas Mann.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In the book, Malahy detailed the numerous catastrophes that surrounded the months spent filming the movie, a loose adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella, Heart of Darkness, in the Philippines.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Barton’s story bears a striking resemblance to the narrative outlined in Corcoran’s legal claim and suggests the franchise was enjoying demonstrable success at a time that could be critical to determining if and how much she is owed.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Thompson turned to Preston Mui, a senior economist at Employ America, for a sector-by-sector breakdown of job openings since ChatGPT’s release, and the findings actually contradicted the AI narrative.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

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“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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