story lines

plural of story line
as in stories
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lines Though soap actors usually don’t get much of a say in their characters’ story lines, the Days team understandably made an exception for Oliver. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Dwayne Hickman starred as the titular character Dobie Gillis, the lovestruck teenager whose quest for romance drove the show’s story lines. Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Today, though, even the most milquetoast artists are positioned as the protagonists of grand story lines, their careers measured not in albums but in eras. Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 From there, readers can dive into all sorts of comics from Marvel history, from original Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comics from the '60s to more recent titles and event crossovers that were the basis for MCU story lines. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 July 2026 The series combines potty-mouthed put-downs with more sentimental story lines. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 There were plenty of compelling story lines taking shape as the sun began to dip on the legendary course. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 Because the casting and story lines that developed gave us people to root for and against—something every great Survivor season needs. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story lines
Noun
  • The ByteDance app, for example, is directing users of its former AI companion service to another of its apps which solely focuses on building personalized AI characters and stories.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s a quick guide to recent Star-Telegram stories every Texas driver should know.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • And the blend of big acting, ambitious sets, and poignant plots helped this show become something truly transcendent.
    Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Characters must be coherent; plots must be tight and any gaps in the plot must be patched.
    Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • San Francisco police officers would then proceed to smash the driver's window, drag the driver out and pepper-spray him — actions that a San Francisco Department of Police Accountability (DPA) report states were excessive.
    Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Microsoft’s actions are part of a growing charm campaign among big tech companies as data center projects grow more unpopular.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Story lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20lines. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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