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
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
That’s particularly true when said creator has already birthed an entire cinematic universe whose characters and story lines can be milked long after Sheridan moseys along.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 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
With high school football practices set to kick off Friday, there are always a slew of story lines to follow during the regular season.
—Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
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
That’s particularly true when said creator has already birthed an entire cinematic universe whose characters and story lines can be milked long after Sheridan moseys along.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 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
With high school football practices set to kick off Friday, there are always a slew of story lines to follow during the regular season.
—Danny Ventura, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story lines
Noun
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As for the defense's argument that Debe had a history of making up stories, prosecutors say this is unfortunately consistent with life inside an abusive relationship.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Carol Trzcinski, executive director of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center in Palos Park, wants to help veterans tell their stories by exhibiting their art during a monthlong exhibit in March.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In all plots, black circles represent the mean value of each environmental variables at each site, and the lines the SD.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Some films linger in our minds because of their sharp plots, quotable one-liners and unforgettable characters.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Though Andrea — initially convicted of capital murder — was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental health facility, debate over what drove her actions continues to this day.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Reducing exposure can involve actions such as sealing cracks in basement floors or foundations, and installing ventilation systems designed to lower radon levels.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Story lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20lines. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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