nar·ra·tive
ˈner-ə-tiv 
ˈna-rə-
1
b
: a way of presenting or understanding a situation or series of events that reflects and promotes a particular point of view or set of values
The rise of the Tea Party and the weakness of the Obama economy have fueled a Republican narrative about Big Government as a threat to liberty …—
Michael Grunwald
Michael GrunwaldThe media narrative around Kelly's appointment had two central ideas … : He would calm and professionalize the White House, and he would provide a more measured leadership style than his boss.—Perry Bacon, Jr.
Perry Bacon, Jr.2
: the art or practice of narration
… depended not on narrative but on intensity derived from the verity to make the book jump.—Stanley Kauffmann
Stanley Kauffmann3
: the representation in art of an event or story
also
: an example of such a representation
the narrative of St. Joan of Arc
narratively
adverb
1
: having the form of a story or representing a story
a narrative poem
narrative paintings
2
: of or relating to the process of telling a story
the author's narrative style
the novel's narrative structure
Synonyms of narrative
Examples of narrative in a Sentence
Noun
He is writing a detailed narrative of his life on the island.
People have questioned the accuracy of his narrative.
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
That failure is as much a problem of form as of substance, because to break out of the apolitical bubble of personalities is also to break out of the iridescent bubble of elegant narrative.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 May 2026
That primarily involves narrative ideas that venture far beyond King’s original novel, and in some cases, fundamentally reframe the facts of the book from 1986.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrative
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Noun
The newest data fits a trend, alongside news that Chicago once again has the country’s busiest airfield and is a top tourist destination, disproving the narrative that the city is shrinking, said Erin Connelly, communication director for Mayor Brandon Johnson.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
That failure is as much a problem of form as of substance, because to break out of the apolitical bubble of personalities is also to break out of the iridescent bubble of elegant narrative.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
Adjective
Donovan will also help writers rework dormant scripts for publishers, and is offering mentoring where a pitch deck or script is used for narrative structure.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 May 2026
That primarily involves narrative ideas that venture far beyond King’s original novel, and in some cases, fundamentally reframe the facts of the book from 1986.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for narrative
Cite this Entry
“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narrative. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
narrative
noun
nar·ra·tive
ˈnar-ət-iv
1
: something (as a story) that is told or written
2
: the art or practice of telling stories
narrative
adjective
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