tales

plural of tale
1
2
as in anecdotes
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
5
as in counts
a total number obtained or recorded by noting each thing as it was being added when the tale of the dead from the disaster is announced, the city will be in shock

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 tales But as with many such tales of extraordinary success, the origin story is much darker. — Tracy Weber, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026 Inspired by the triad tales of a family driver, the girls decide to form a gang. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026 McNeil has made a career out of reliving the gritty tales of debauchery and explosive expression that gave rise to the Ramones and CBGB’s and shocking tales of New York in the 1970s. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The Class of 86 are on stage to recount tales and to raise funds. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 At 10, the author and culture journalist had been introduced to Fleetwood Mac by her dad and regaled with tales of the band’s drama. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 Sandler was read folk tales as a child and grew up watching the popular anti-heroes of early HBO dramas. — Jennie Punter, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 Both of these tales were derived from the folk legends and mythologies involving witches and ghosts that were still prevalent along the Hudson Valley. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 As is common with these tales of sliding doors, the narrative isn’t linear. — Emmalee Reed, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tales
Noun
  • Little ones can color, solve puzzles, read stories, and more in this booklet.
    — Anja Webb, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Marrs Barron said there were many heartfelt stories of neighbors helping neighbors and municipalities helping each other when equipment broke down, with others bringing ice and water for workers at the compost sites.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Bored with his beautiful wife and the weight of his lies, Edward longs for a way out, even as Richard continues to pine for Beatrice.
    — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • This is a melodrama of malicious secrets and manipulative lies that may lead to divorce, desertion and even death.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There have always been short books, some traditionally noted as novellas (20,000-40,000 words), yet not marketed as such.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The series currently encompasses nine sub-series arcs, standalone novels, novellas, English-language manga and graphic novels.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In other cases, two senior anti-Balaka leaders were convicted in July 2025 on multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • And that overall figure has been on a downward trend for the past several years as episode counts get shaved on series and major studios place fewer overall bets on movies or shows annually.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At a time when so much contemporary art jockeys to be spectacular, Op de Beeck’s whispers, both commanding and requiring your attention.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The work on my set is like open-heart surgery, only in whispers, going straight for the essential and nothing else.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has thrown for 417 yards and three scores with no interceptions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The low scores are mostly due to nerves, not lack of potential.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Like others in media, the company no longer reports subscriber tallies for the whole portfolio, which includes AMC+, Shudder, Acorn and the recently launched All Reality.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • These tallies are just one off the all-time record of 10, set by Alan Jackson in 2002.
    — Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tales. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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