as in tale
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people
West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling
Related 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 folktale
Briar Rose is the name of Sleeping Beauty in the Brothers Grimm version of the folktale, and in the Disney version, the character Aurora is referred to as Briar Rose as a child.
—
Lia Beck, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Julia, who studied music and theater at Harvard, is currently developing a musical based on the Korean folktale of Simcheong, a filial daughter who sacrifices herself for her blind father.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
The phrase derives from a folktale about a railroad worker named John Henry who was said to have outperformed a mechanical steam drill and then died of exhaustion.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
The genre has a long, diverse history According to the Library of Congress, the roots of country music can be traced back to the 17th century when European immigrants and enslaved Africans brought their folktales, folk songs, instruments, and musical traditions to North America.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Lia Beck, People.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Julia, who studied music and theater at Harvard, is currently developing a musical based on the Korean folktale of Simcheong, a filial daughter who sacrifices herself for her blind father.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
The phrase derives from a folktale about a railroad worker named John Henry who was said to have outperformed a mechanical steam drill and then died of exhaustion.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
The genre has a long, diverse history According to the Library of Congress, the roots of country music can be traced back to the 17th century when European immigrants and enslaved Africans brought their folktales, folk songs, instruments, and musical traditions to North America.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for folktale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktale
Noun
-
Arias weaves a lovely tale of unrequited love that isn’t as unrequited in this sapphic, slow-burn romance that also touches on weighty topics, including divorce and grief.—
Mia Sosa,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The tell-tale signs continued to add up.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To celebrate its big anniversary, a special event will be held in Miami, Florida, from January 29 - February 1, featuring none other than legends Sir Roger Daltrey and Simon Townshend, brother of Pete, both of The Who.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Boxers from all over the world have grown up dreaming of winning the belts that legends of the sport once had wrapped around their waists.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As a recent ProPublica story revealed, the promises of the H-2A visa program can be undermined by extreme abuses the workers suffer, mostly by labor contractors.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The dream drive package includes private transfer to The Barn, Napa Valley Car Club's exclusive clubhouse, post-drive drinks and stories and return transfer.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Cortège Out on the cricket fields at The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, an experiential open-air event is bringing together dance, sound, light, puppetry, costume, myth, and robotic canines.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The myth of Chinese tunnels has circulated for more than a century.—
Beth Lew-Williams,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Bochy, meanwhile, continues his run as one of the most successful managers in MLB history.—
Candace Oehler,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
As of 2025, the most covered history topic in English secondary schools is the Transatlantic Slave Trade, just edging out World War I and, yes, the Norman Conquest.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What’s fall reading without a little hockey romance?—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The movie, which premiered at TIFF, stars Dinklage as store manager Mitch and Kirsten Dunst as Leigh, a Toys ‘R’ Us employee who develops a romance with the fugitive.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Folktale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktale. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share