1
as in story
a rumor or report of a personal or sensational nature
don't believe the tales you hear about our neighbor's kid
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2
as in anecdote
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally
asked Dad to tell once again the tale of how, as a kid, he broke his arm jumping out of a tree
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3
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive
told tall tales in an attempt to impress me with her supposedly upper-crust background
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in novella
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel
the oft-told tale of Sleeping Beauty
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tale
Her life read a bit like a cautionary tale against the rigidities of radicalism.
—
Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
Each will be a complete, standalone tale from various storytellers.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Both actors have gone on record to share a hilariously grim tale of how their family once ate Josh's pet pig for dinner.
—Lydia Price, People.com, 11 June 2025
Guns, knives, swords, cleavers, axes, ice picks and flamethrowers will all be put to use in this tale of a revenge.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tale
Hazlitt, 11 June 2025
Each will be a complete, standalone tale from various storytellers.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 11 June 2025
Both actors have gone on record to share a hilariously grim tale of how their family once ate Josh's pet pig for dinner.
—Lydia Price, People.com, 11 June 2025
Guns, knives, swords, cleavers, axes, ice picks and flamethrowers will all be put to use in this tale of a revenge.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tale
Noun
-
Suffering through bad relationships to finally find the ideal romantic partner is a universal story that’s understood by men and women of every age, and of every generation.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
10 June 2025
-
Her story as a young, dedicated fossil collector inspired Swiss director Marcel Barelli, whose own passion for paleontology followed him into adulthood.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
The sentiment speaks to what Urban Jürgensen has long understood, that the value of a timepiece lies as much in emotion as in engineering.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
-
For no other reason than being entranced by Putin's lies and flirtations.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Stephen King’s novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
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This summer will see the first English translation of her earlier novella, Killing Stella, a slim domestic horror story that serves as a perfect entry point to Haushofer’s work.—
Isle McElroy,
Vulture,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Abrego Garcia faces one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and one count of unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens after a grand jury in Tennessee returned a sealed indictment against him in May.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
-
Now, Ramirez has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California said in a June 12 news release.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Both Louisiana singers luxuriate at the point where a whisper becomes a coo, and both have crafted gossamer pop with Swedish producers.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 June 2025
-
Here is what the judges had to say: Aromas of rich caramel and a whisper of spice.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The film, which won the jury prize at the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film festival, is a hilarious fable about trying to lead a creative life and failing miserably at making ends meet.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
24 May 2025
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But even more than that, Joe wants to be the hero of this warped fable.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Bouchard added another secondary helper on the McDavid-to-Draisaitl jaw-dropping tally to cap a three-point night.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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This week, the song ranks as a powerful bestseller on several Billboard tallies.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
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With Draisaitl in the penalty box to start the third, Oilers were on their heels for several minutes and relied on Pickard to keep the score tied.—
Stephen Whyno,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
-
The score more accurately reflected the play, although the Panthers had a great chance at taking the lead when Tkachuk got the puck in the right circle with Pickard somewhere in Sawgrass Mills.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tale. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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