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
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Recent Examples of story lines
Anyway, there’s no shortage of story lines to follow over the next two weeks.
—
The Editors, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
The frenzy is being driven by a large local alumni base and riveting story lines like Indiana’s Heisman trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, returning home to play in South Florida, where his Cuban heritage has been engaging new audiences.
—Anna J. Kaiser, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
Sesame Street has also evolved over the years with new characters and story lines that reflect the changing times, including social-emotional learning and mental health.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 15 Jan. 2026
That battle in the trenches stands among the most intriguing story lines of the first-round playoff game.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
The dizzying pace and overlapping story lines add to the show’s real-time immersiveness.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
But what's really cool is how the movie brings those story lines together in a narrative filled with intriguing twists, gnarly kills, heroic sacrifices and a slew of nifty new Predator designs.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The script includes a sprawling cast of characters with disparate story lines that all converge on a fictional Western settlement.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
The Editors, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
The frenzy is being driven by a large local alumni base and riveting story lines like Indiana’s Heisman trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, returning home to play in South Florida, where his Cuban heritage has been engaging new audiences.
—Anna J. Kaiser, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
Sesame Street has also evolved over the years with new characters and story lines that reflect the changing times, including social-emotional learning and mental health.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 15 Jan. 2026
That battle in the trenches stands among the most intriguing story lines of the first-round playoff game.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
The dizzying pace and overlapping story lines add to the show’s real-time immersiveness.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
But what's really cool is how the movie brings those story lines together in a narrative filled with intriguing twists, gnarly kills, heroic sacrifices and a slew of nifty new Predator designs.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
The script includes a sprawling cast of characters with disparate story lines that all converge on a fictional Western settlement.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story lines
Noun
-
Here are two more stories of the subterranean, one sinister and one salty.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Some clients said they were told to make up stories of abuse that became the crux of their lawsuit.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Medinsky has written several history books that focus on exposing purported Western plots against Russia and denigrate Ukraine.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The club met regularly, held dances, and provided burial insurance and cemetery plots.—
Dorothy Roberts,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The clip led to Patel defending his actions in a statement to X on Sunday night.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
While some of the actions listed on the poster dealt with policy actions, like recommending the city adopt an ordinance requiring businesses to compost food waste, many of the actions listed on the poster also centered around educating the public.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Story lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20lines. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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