as in story
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of story line
Although a major source of inspiration for its universe, badminton wasn’t the core for the storyline, but defeat.
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Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Might as well not be shy about the primary story line of this game.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 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
One of the biggest Media Day story lines surrounding the Miami Heat this upcoming season has to do with a player who won’t be available for the start of the season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for story line
Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Might as well not be shy about the primary story line of this game.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 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
One of the biggest Media Day story lines surrounding the Miami Heat this upcoming season has to do with a player who won’t be available for the start of the season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Jillian Frankel,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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On expedition, the hunter who joined me on polar bear watch was relating a story from his grandfather who told him the telling sign of narwhal appearance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Set in the English countryside, the film uses the classic plot of a lower class criminal working his way up through the hierarchy in order to extract laughs from an ensemble of eccentric aristocrats.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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In court, Everett reviewed details of the case, including McGraw's deletion of a text message that was part of discovery in the case, an action that the judge said was considered in his ruling.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Story line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20line. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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