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
Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
In the late nineties, Vince built a story line around a version of himself.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Sakurai premiered his new trailer at CinemaCon, with fresh footage that showed plenty of epic kicks, punches and cool moves – as well as a sense of humor – but also showcased the film's emotional story line.
—James Powel, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
On the iconic teen drama, the duo starred as Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay, whose on-again, off-again relationship became one of the series' primary story lines.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for story line
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
In the late nineties, Vince built a story line around a version of himself.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Sakurai premiered his new trailer at CinemaCon, with fresh footage that showed plenty of epic kicks, punches and cool moves – as well as a sense of humor – but also showcased the film's emotional story line.
—James Powel, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
On the iconic teen drama, the duo starred as Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay, whose on-again, off-again relationship became one of the series' primary story lines.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
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Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
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Eggs, sushi, and crypto The account paid attention to smaller stories, too.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Noun
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The film eliminated even a gesture toward a plot while showing solitary nonprofessional and real-life ranch-hand Misael Saavedra chopping and hauling logs in the Argentinian hinterlands (in actuality, Alonso’s family’s ranch).—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
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One of the movie’s core plot points revolves around the tensions that cropped up during the planning of the Jacksons’ Victory Tour in 1984, where the adult Michael reunited with all of his brothers in the Jackson family.—
Jemele Hill,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Noun
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But the first glimpse at the full team in action showed an early hierarchy among signal callers.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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Clinton, who faces three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and five counts of armed criminal action related to the incident, is scheduled to go to trial in January.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Story line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20line. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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