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 That kind of clarity makes for a simpler story, a simpler diagnosis. James Marcus, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025 Have a suggestion for a future story? Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025 Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. Data Skrive, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 For more than one level, maps can be created for each story of the home. Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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
  • Despite the ongoing war, and anti-Western rhetoric that has become embedded in Kremlin and state media commentary, Russia is likely to be ready and willing to participate in future global cultural and sporting events should circumstances change.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
  • This isn’t just shot in black-and-white, thus resembling the 1960 meta-commentary on American crime thrillers and pulp fictions in all its monochromatic glory.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Just a shot of the spirit was enough to lend a whisper of warm, caramel-like flavor that plays nicely with the warm baking spices and molasses.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
  • Jane uses her wit to survive under Henry VIII’s reign, an era where one wrong move, including the faintest whisper of gossip, may be the end of you.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The lie that began James’s reign would have far-reaching consequences.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Directly underneath lies an open-air beach club with fold-down platforms that open to create roughly 645 square feet of space suspended above the water.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The show leans into this offensive, problematic plot device without any self-awareness.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • One with more context, a plot, character development.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The Morant situation unfolded after the team's 117-112 loss to the Lakers, during which some perceived that the Grizzlies star displayed a lack of effort.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Running back Breece Hall, who reportedly requested a trade himself before the deadline, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson both took to X to share their thoughts on the situation.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The novella is a haunted house, dual point of view ride where the metaphors from the top down are consistently delivered.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Edgerton stars as an itinerant worker in the early 1900s Pacific Northwest in the adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, which premiered at Sundance.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it is still undetermined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This story has been updated with additional information.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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