fairy tale

noun

Definition of fairy talenext
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive did you really see a bear, or are you telling us another one of your fairy tales?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fairy tale Kindergarten teachers say that many of their students don’t know nursery rhymes or fairy tales, Benjamin Powers, the director of Yale and the University of Connecticut’s Haskins Global Literacy Hub, told me. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 The Disneyland horticulture team maintains the natural landscaping that provides realistic proportions for the miniature scenery along the fairy tale boat journey. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 Her astute observations — and solid Disney fairy tale references — don't stop there. — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Taylor Alison Swift, pop star, billionaire, fairy tale officionado, is not about to have a McDonald’s wedding. — Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fairy tale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fairy tale
  1. lie
  2. tale
  3. story
Noun
  • In the neck lie rectifying plates—one plate in the wash still, 17 in the spirit still—which allows for precision control over the whisky, as well as higher ABV distillate than a traditional pot setup.
    — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • JetBlue's lie-flat Mint business class, which is used on longer-haul flights like cross-country trips and flights to European destinations including Paris, London and Milan, will only have the Standard and Flex option.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Definition of lie
Noun
  • The tale begins with a successful novelist in late middle age boarding a train after a publishing event.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Politicians in both parties often used tales of Medicaid fraud on the part of providers and recipients to justify tighter eligibility rules and spending cuts.
    — Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of tale
Noun
  • Unlike the low-tech solution in American author Mary Mapes Dodge's 19th-century story, modern dike patrols are able to plot possible problems caused by drought in an app and send it to authorities who can then quickly carry our repairs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That episode inspires a Gospel story where Jesus is asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat during a furious storm.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of story

Browse Nearby Words

fairylike
fairy tale
fairy tales
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fairy tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fairy%20tale. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fairy tale

Nglish: Translation of fairy tale for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fairy tale

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