1
as in tale
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally Grandpa likes to tell yarns about when he was young

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2
as in story
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel a ripping yarn about space travel and alien monsters

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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 yarn This circular yarn reuses waste via recycling, while also providing mechanical stretch for comfort and fit. Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 22 July 2025 And it was never intended to be anything but a horror story, an adventure yarn, a buddy movie, an entertainment. Hans Walters, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025 The film’s origin story is itself a postmodern yarn. Arkansas Online, 17 July 2025 There will also be a 4H dog show, wiener dog and corgi races, stunt dog shows and immersive experiences for humans including a giant ball of yarn and a chance to sit in a bird’s nest. Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for yarn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yarn
Noun
  • With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.
    Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The two met in secret, and some versions of the story suggest their love lives on only in death, much like the Western tale of Romeo and Juliet.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Share stories of lateral moves in company updates—not as policy footnotes but as real growth journeys.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Adapted by Max Porter from his novella Shy, Steve has Oscar winner Murphy playing a headteacher during a pivotal day for students at a last-chance reform school and in a world that has left them behind.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
  • Each of the first four novels tells the love story of a hockey player, with the fifth being a novella collection of all four couples.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • In this role, Claire will guide our day-to-day assignments, from quick turn reporting to longform narrative features to live events coverage.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
  • In one study, psychologist Jonathan Adler followed a group of adults who wrote narratives about themselves over a period of 12 psychotherapy sessions.
    J. David Creswell, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Yarn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yarn. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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