Definition of story linenext
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

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 line The new season will feature a story line involving the fictitious Cincinnati Times, which was filmed in the offices of the Los Angeles Times. Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026 These story lines add a sense of urgency and progress to a series that was a little too comfortable being amiably aimless. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 Whenever next season begins (if there is a season), a Cannarella-Marsee center field battle should be one of the most fascinating story lines. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 While season 1 filmed in multiple countries to match its international story line, production relocated entirely to Texas for season 2 and has remained there ever since. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
  • Whether Arnault can leverage his track record across multiple international brands to help reverse Nike's fortunes while cementing his position within the Arnault family's succession landscape remains a story that will unfold soon.
    , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Bible readers may wonder how this fit with Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac at God’s command, and philosophers have occasionally tried to reconcile the two stories with textual twists.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • What makes the revenge plot so seductive is the buildup more than the act itself.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • On paper, the script didn’t seem that funny, and the looseness of it all — the clowning, the lack of a traditional plot structure — seemed kind of slapdash.
    Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Who wouldn’t like to whip out a formula that enabled you to judge this action as evil and the other as merely wrong?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The War Powers Act, created in the aftermath of the Vietnam conflict, sought to put a more specific time limit on the president's power, requiring congressional approval for sustained military actions after 60 or 90 days.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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