Definition of storynext
1
as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel he's a talented writer, but his quirky stories will never find a wide readership

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2
as in anecdote
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally Grandpa is always telling stories about what it was like growing up on a farm

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3
4
5
as in whisper
a rumor or report of a personal or sensational nature stories going around that the old man had died with thousands of dollars hidden under his mattress

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6
7
as in plot
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the story proceeds at a pace that many readers will find a bit too leisurely

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8
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances management is trying to figure out what the story is with the accident down in the warehouse

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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 The original story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists. — Lina Ruiz october 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026 In this alternate timeline, as the clip previews, the webslinger’s origin story features a mentorship by Norman Osborn (of Oscorp fame), the alter ego to bitter enemy Green Goblin, instead of Tony Stark. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Your response may be included in an upcoming Los Angeles Times story or lead to a phone interview. — Michelle Vartan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 There was a period where airspace was closed in the Gulf after the Iran conflict began, and then questions about whether the region’s growth story would be interrupted. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story
Noun
  • The play is a gently unfolding, calmly delivered tale of the decades of horrors endured by a real-life person named Eddie Jaku.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And for Netflix, Bayona helmed Society of the Snow, a drama based on the true-life tale of the Uruguayan 1972 Andes flight disaster.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Jamal, meanwhile, was allegedly handing over information about his clients to the FBI.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Compelling information, but not strong enough to convince a politician.
    — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In the years preceding his 2003 indictment for making false immigration claims, Jamal became an outspoken advocate whom local media began to heavily rely on to provide Somali-specific or Muslim-centric commentary.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • However, tracking the trends in the report helps in our understanding of the economic backdrop in which our companies are operating, along with official government data and companies’ results and commentary.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There are whispers in France of these protests transforming into another Yellow Vests movement, which was leaderless, nationwide and unified a broad church of grievances.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Dyson Air Purifier Prime Day Deals The Dyson Hushjet is a compact, small-form air purifier that's whisper-quiet but powerful.
    — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Recounting the disappearance of his sister Jade 20 years earlier, this text threatens to expose the lies, secrets and rifts within a group of friends bound forever by tragic events.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On the lower level lie the Oceanfront Balcony and Premium Oceanfront Balcony rooms, with the same factors distinguishing Premium from not.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There’s no winking at the audience, no sense of camp or parody, just a lot of appealing interactions, plus some wholly superfluous tertiary plots added to expand the story to series length.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • And during the 2024-2025 growing season, BCI Program partners established at least 19,900 demonstration plots and supported 11,000 bio-input or bio-control centers to give farmers access to synthetic pesticide and fertilizer alternatives.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Now, the aging superstar finds himself in an awkward situation where no one wants to be – overstaying his welcome like that uncle at Thanksgiving or Christmas who can’t read the room.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • When a call is overturned, Baseball Savant measures the difference in run expectancy between the situation before the pitch/challenge and the situation after the call is flipped.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As for the sitting president, he’s named just once, in the opening line of the titular novella.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The company is working on a feature adaptation of Pulitzer Prize finalist Torrey Peters’ novella Stag Dance and a feature romantic comedy from Carly Usdin and Brittani Nichols featuring WNBA players Gabby Williams, Theresa Plaisance, and Syd Colson.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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