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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of story lines
The Nashville approach prioritizes clear story lines and catchy refrains.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 12 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
And while Louis and Molloy are mostly absent from the source material, Jones and the writers’ room invented new story lines for them, sometimes repurposing plot points from future Vampire Chronicles entries.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 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
Running Point has basketball, familial drama and romantic story lines — but off-screen, much of the cast is committed to their real-life partners.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Through interviews with almost 30 immigrants navigating the H-1B system, the team learned of the real impact of policy changes and incorporated them into game story lines.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a political thriller with intertwining story lines, the A-lister stars as a veteran CIA agent who uncovers an assassination plot in the Middle East.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 12 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
And while Louis and Molloy are mostly absent from the source material, Jones and the writers’ room invented new story lines for them, sometimes repurposing plot points from future Vampire Chronicles entries.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 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
Running Point has basketball, familial drama and romantic story lines — but off-screen, much of the cast is committed to their real-life partners.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Through interviews with almost 30 immigrants navigating the H-1B system, the team learned of the real impact of policy changes and incorporated them into game story lines.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a political thriller with intertwining story lines, the A-lister stars as a veteran CIA agent who uncovers an assassination plot in the Middle East.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story lines
Noun
-
Recent stories of the teenager shopping at a Walmart in Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, near Spain’s training base without attracting much attention illustrates the gap between soccer fame and broader American celebrity.—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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That makes the link between exercise and mental health one of the most actionable health stories anyone can read this week.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Casting child star vocal talents to bring his line drawings to life for the characters surrounding Charlie Brown (and his endless dilemmas of life story plots) wasn’t an easy feat for Schulz, since, after all, children grow up, and their vocals mature.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
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Jane’s characters brim with oddball wisdom, and her genre-bending plots are always a delight.—
Tessa Yang,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Hoiby’s actions have further dented the popularity and once very positive public image of the royal family.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
If discussions drift, gently redirect toward next actions and timelines, since specific promises turn goodwill into practical progress.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Story lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20lines. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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