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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Some neighbors are concerned that the houses will be two stories, and that the developer might not pay to help complete the bike trail in the area, Pray said. Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026 Speaking to Channel 4 News, the filmmaker said the decision was intended to make Homer’s story feel more fresh to modern audiences. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2026 The stakes are consistently, palpably high in a story about love that is forbidden in the most literal, systemic sense — and felt in brief, ecstatic moments of release. Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026 Recovery Is Not The Same As Return One of the biggest mistakes investors make in turnaround stories is assuming that a business recovery and an investment return are the same thing. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story
Noun
  • There’s a house on the property where Francis Ford Coppola filmed Vito Corleone avenging his mother’s death in The Godfather Part II, but Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were interested in a much older tale about Sicily—one of gods and mortals.
    Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 14 July 2026
  • This underdog tale — a popular trope in musical theater — offers many moving moments, though several feel cloying.
    Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • One expert noted that turning satellite data into information useful to firefighters and forestry managers will take some time.
    Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Hart went into writing the ballad with that information, but the rest was up to him.
    Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • The platform has featured traditional adverts for bets, but CazéTV’s commentators have also promoted betting during the games, blending advertising with commentary of the action on the pitch.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • At once pugnaciously combative and unreservedly sentimental, Landon chose to take the series out with a commentary on class revolt.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • This filing was just the first whisper of redevelopment at the mall in years.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • Among other amateur butterfly afficionados and biologists who were likewise paying attention, a whisper of disquiet was spreading.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Spieth decided the ball sitting on a steep slope and potentially on a terrible lie wasn’t playable.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The seat-block option comes four months after United unveiled a new Relax Row option, a row of three economy seats with individually adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle to create a lie-flat sleeping area.
    Mason Leib, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • The novel plot is intricately structured and gratifying while the animation — which dips into various styles including impressionism — invites you into an awe-inspiring alternative world.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • The facilities typically require vast plots of land, energy to power the chips and servers inside, and water to cool high-tech equipment.
    Lora Kolodny,Jeniece Pettitt, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Noun
  • On the opposite side of the ball, he could be heard barking orders out during pick-and-roll situations, loudly letting teammates know where the ball-handler was headed.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Waymo’s support team is automatically notified if the vehicle crashes, and a roadside assistance representative will come to the collision site to assess the situation in person.
    Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Advertisement Margaret Atwood also found a new framing for The Odyssey in her 2005 novella The Penelopiad.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 July 2026
  • The whole gang is back, ready to play their parts in this never-ending novella.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on story

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!