1
as in stories
a rumor or report of a personal or sensational nature
don't believe the tales you hear about our neighbor's kid
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
as in lies
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in novellas
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel
the oft-told tale of Sleeping Beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tales
Such tales clearly advise against judging people on material criteria, or assuming value based on markers of religion, class and political authority.
—
Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Someday, Victor Vodnik can regale his three young daughters, Ariel, Rose, and Viviana, with tales about his battles with Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Cue Weaver’s voiceover about tales of a Mandalorian and a child.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Amid social turmoil, three intertwining tales of disillusioned misfits collide under the machinations of an all-seeing institution.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, these supernatural tales drop into the story as conveniences rather than as spiritual experiences.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
And while some stars managed to laugh them off, others became cautionary tales of what can happen when the cameras never stop rolling.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Hers is a dark, dark mind that weaves deceptively simple tales into terrifying psychological page turners like The Housemaid.
—E.l. James, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Among gravesites and crooked slabs, this medieval tapestry of bell towers, vaulted corridors, and sacred frescoes whispered tales of faith and persecution.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Perin Gürel, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Someday, Victor Vodnik can regale his three young daughters, Ariel, Rose, and Viviana, with tales about his battles with Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Cue Weaver’s voiceover about tales of a Mandalorian and a child.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
Amid social turmoil, three intertwining tales of disillusioned misfits collide under the machinations of an all-seeing institution.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, these supernatural tales drop into the story as conveniences rather than as spiritual experiences.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
And while some stars managed to laugh them off, others became cautionary tales of what can happen when the cameras never stop rolling.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Hers is a dark, dark mind that weaves deceptively simple tales into terrifying psychological page turners like The Housemaid.
—E.l. James, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Among gravesites and crooked slabs, this medieval tapestry of bell towers, vaulted corridors, and sacred frescoes whispered tales of faith and persecution.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tales
Noun
-
Some of the original board members are still involved with the museum, but hundreds more joined the effort, some volunteering, others donating surf boards and memorabilia, and many sharing their stories, including famous surfers from Eddie Aikau, Nat Young, Greg Noll and Donald Takayama.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process, and do not review stories before publication.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were no lies told about this team’s postseason prowess.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The fascists had already told many lies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This pair of novellas is about a middle-aged woman, the heroine’s sister, who comes to Tokyo intent on obtaining breast implants and a protagonist contemplating artificial insemination in a culture that doubts the procedure’s morality.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
House of the Dragon premieres its third season this summer ahead of a fourth and likely final season in 2028, while A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on Martin's Tales of Dunk & Egg novellas, is in production on season 2 for release in 2027.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Those were among the details in a court document prosecutors filed Saturday as part of a request to keep Abugharbieh, 26, jailed while awaiting trial on charges that include two counts of first-degree murder.—
Dan Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
On April 25, Abugharbieh was also charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, this being DC and the WHCD, there are always whispers and smoke.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The amount of hearing patients gained varied, but 80% achieved at least some significant hearing restoration and 42% ended up with normal hearing, which included the ability to hear whispers, Regeneron says.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey put up a Pro-Bowl caliber campaign in ’24 as a first-year target (82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, seven scores), while Rashod Bateman’s numbers as a rookie in ’22 were merely serviceable (46 grabs, 515 yards, one TD).—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But Rotten Tomatoes scores are averaged from professional film critics, while Academy voters are film professionals — two disparate groups.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Avs could complete the sweep in a series that has featured plenty of textbook checking and defensive play from the Kings, but just four goals and two that weren’t desperation 6-on-4 tallies.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, senior captain Liam Williams added a pair of goals and three assists as Westwood (8-2) struck for four unanswered tallies late to rally past Falmouth in the third place game at the Chowda Cup, 13-11.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tales. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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