Definition of story linenext
as in story
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 line While the quarterback position will be worth monitoring, the run game was the biggest story line surrounding FIU’s offensive performance. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 The series also features a brief story line involving Manchester, a neighbor of the Borden family, portrayed by Linda Reiter. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 The new season will feature a story line involving the fictitious Cincinnati Times, which was filmed in the offices of the Los Angeles Times. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026 These story lines add a sense of urgency and progress to a series that was a little too comfortable being amiably aimless. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
  • While the episodic stories reflect the never-ending parade of tourists and partygoers, the show also provides Dennis and Rosa with long-term arcs.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Suffice it to say the mystery bullets that landed in Rate Field’s bleachers in 2023 and wounded two women definitely aren’t relevant to this feel-good story but are worth mentioning to remind us how much the Sox narrative has changed.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 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
  • The architecture is designed to let robots interpret their surroundings, predict how environments may change, and choose appropriate actions.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Libra Moon enters your private 12th House and encourages reflection before action.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Story line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20line. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster