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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Recent Examples of short story
That’s the glue for what’s really a series of short stories, tales from Ninny about her wild younger days in Alabama.
—
Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Much of it is based on the short story, obviously, which is so unique in its own right.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
The prestigious prize is given yearly to an American writer of a novel or short story collection, who is 35 years old or younger.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 13 June 2025
The deal is believed to be one of the biggest of all time for a short story.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for short story
Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Much of it is based on the short story, obviously, which is so unique in its own right.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2025
The prestigious prize is given yearly to an American writer of a novel or short story collection, who is 35 years old or younger.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 13 June 2025
The deal is believed to be one of the biggest of all time for a short story.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
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Both Van Poppel and Taylor, who injured his shoulder in a bar fight in 1993 and never reached the major leagues, are cautionary tales on the dangers of taking a high school pitcher in the first round.—
Melissa Lockard,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Sula by Toni Morrison Toni Morrison’s suite of stunning historical novels includes Beloved, A Mercy, and this 1973 tale of a friendship between Sula Peace and Nel Wright.—
Mia Barzilay Freund,
Vogue,
7 July 2025
Noun
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For beautiful views of the Tennessee River and Wilson Dam, head to this greenspace with a scenic 1.3-mile trail along the waterfront with interpretive displays sharing stories about Florence’s history.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
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Instead of museum stories, this is a living legacy of knowledge that needs to be shared with the human family.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Noun
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The novella takes place over Christmas night, contained to the equivalent of a one-act play in the character Marie’s bleak apartment.—
Diana Arterian
June 20,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
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It’s built backward, as is the Stephen King novella on which it’s based.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The filmmaker’s breakthrough: anchoring the narrative on the eight-year-old Bobo.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
7 July 2025
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While information about what happened trickled out slowly at first, reviewing the detective's narrative of the investigation revealed how the shooter had engaged in a pattern of abuse that culminated in him entering the house party on Ridgecrest Drive and shooting at those inside.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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