Definition of storynext
1
as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel he's a talented writer, but his quirky stories will never find a wide readership

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2
as in anecdote
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally Grandpa is always telling stories about what it was like growing up on a farm

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3
4
5
as in whisper
a rumor or report of a personal or sensational nature stories going around that the old man had died with thousands of dollars hidden under his mattress

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6
7
as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the story proceeds at a pace that many readers will find a bit too leisurely

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8
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances management is trying to figure out what the story is with the accident down in the warehouse

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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 story The film includes flashbacks to his time in the war and features a parallel story about his young carer struggling to make ends meet. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 Total donations to the 89,000-square-foot, two-story ballroom totaled $333 million, according to the report. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 For a small neighborhood, there are plenty of spooky stories. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The names were released after The Star published a Thursday morning story noting unanswered questions about the crash. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story
Noun
  • Then on Wednesday morning, Luna reunited with her owners thanks to the efforts of local rescuers, tourists and park employees, capping a survival tale that required avoiding bears and coyotes while locating enough sustenance and shelter.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That level of control precluded a Vatican media operation from spinning tall tales as occurred during John Paul's reign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Spray bottle on bottom shelf of main prep table lacking label information.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Agents now match reconciliations, draft journal entries, suggest accrual estimates and write the variance commentary that goes to the audit committee.
    — Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • All four movies exhibit Mackenzie’s knack for trenchant social and political commentary slightly heightened by his elegance as a dramatist and visceral genre filmmaker, and all are accompanied by illuminating supplements.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Monday was a perfect example, when the two biggest drags on the S&P 500 were Nvidia and Micron, but were offset almost to the penny by gains in Apple and Meta, helping the index itself to finish a whisper from unchanged.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lance Leipold has heard the whispers through the years that perhaps Kansas’ football coach doesn’t place enough emphasis on the yearly Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Another way to hold accountable those spreading lies online is to sue them.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Undoubtedly, a stack of crazy, low-IQ and weird lies will follow.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Despite the cookie-cutter nature of the main plot elements, a few star writers emerged who were able to keep readers guessing.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In the days before Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was gunned down inside his second-floor bedroom, tensions were mounting in South Florida among the men involved in the plot to overthrow him.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The security situation in southern Lebanon has worsened substantially since then, with the outbreak of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in March.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Hailey, who was sitting and listening, likens their situations.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As for the sitting president, he’s named just once, in the opening line of the titular novella.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The company is working on a feature adaptation of Pulitzer Prize finalist Torrey Peters’ novella Stag Dance and a feature romantic comedy from Carly Usdin and Brittani Nichols featuring WNBA players Gabby Williams, Theresa Plaisance, and Syd Colson.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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