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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 While the quarterback position will be worth monitoring, the run game was the biggest story line surrounding FIU’s offensive performance. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 The series also features a brief story line involving Manchester, a neighbor of the Borden family, portrayed by Linda Reiter. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
  • The Same Curve, Every Time Skeptics have been telling this story for a hundred years.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But all that warm, crowd-pleasing material is incongruously, fascinatingly, and not so comfortably fitted inside a story about great loss.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But wait, there’s more, because this election-stealing plot by immigrants certainly doesn’t stop at the state line.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The plot centers on a former police detective serving a life sentence who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Others, enacted via executive action, are directly tied to the Republican candidates running for office in those states.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Officers also must verify license plate information and confirm that an alert is accurate and relevant to an active investigation before taking enforcement action.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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