1
as in story
a relating of events usually in the order in which they happened
wrote a witty, chatty narrative of all the happenings at the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel
in such narratives as "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter," Edgar Allan Poe essentially created the modern detective story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of narrative
Referencing the titular characters of their 2024 and 2015 LPs Clancy and Blurryface, respectively, the record will ostensibly wrap up the narratives that have also continued across records such as 2018’s Trench and 2021’s Scaled and Icy.
—
Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 13 June 2025
After nearly eight weeks of testimony, jury deliberations began in the retrial of Karen Read for the death of John O’Keefe, following closing arguments from Massachusetts prosecutors and defense attorneys presenting competing narratives about how the off-duty Boston cop died in January 2022.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Olivia Williams as Rosemary Cross in Rushmore Miss Cross is a role that gets increasingly challenging for Olivia Williams as the film’s narrative progresses.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Brand managers can’t control the narrative like in broadcast media.
—Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for narrative
Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 13 June 2025
After nearly eight weeks of testimony, jury deliberations began in the retrial of Karen Read for the death of John O’Keefe, following closing arguments from Massachusetts prosecutors and defense attorneys presenting competing narratives about how the off-duty Boston cop died in January 2022.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Olivia Williams as Rosemary Cross in Rushmore Miss Cross is a role that gets increasingly challenging for Olivia Williams as the film’s narrative progresses.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Brand managers can’t control the narrative like in broadcast media.
—Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for narrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrative
Noun
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Now managed by the National Trust, the estate is open to the public, allowing visitors to step inside and experience firsthand the setting of one of literature’s most enduring love stories.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 June 2025
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Suffering through bad relationships to finally find the ideal romantic partner is a universal story that’s understood by men and women of every age, and of every generation.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
10 June 2025
Noun
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The revelation of Izzy and Ferd’s son is sketchy; a suicide tale lacks a set-up or point; intriguing female bonds are underwritten; and all-too-familiar tropes associated with spousal violence weaken the work.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 June 2025
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Ratnam, working from a story by Haasan, sets up a familiar but resonant tale of father and son.—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Career coaches advise applicants to tailor their résumés to highlight skills over chronology, emphasize volunteer or caregiving experience, and demonstrate a growth mindset.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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But diehard fans will still want to watch it at least once to fully complete the Predator chronology.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The film is adapted from a novella written by Stephen King.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
13 June 2025
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The first novella couldn’t be stretched quite that far, so the story required some expansion.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Trump’s ability to flip a switch and ease the all-consuming pressure on the global economy, at least somewhat, is probably the most blunt and effective tool in modern history to reverse any sentiment doom spiral.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Barring something substantial keeping him from reaching that mark in 2025, Machado will become the 79th player in history to have accomplished the 350/2,000 double and just the 12th to do so by his age-32 season.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
Noun
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While supporting her son, Jessica wore a shirt bearing the name of Michael’s Instagram account, with a QR code linking to it on the sleeve.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
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Republished on June 8 with a new warning into Google account attacks.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Noun
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During the voice narration in Episode 2, viewers were told that Yulissa Escobar left the villa.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
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Visitors can see all of this and more, while being guided through the museum with Morgan Freeman offering the narration.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Last year, across the U.S. economy, a record 2,221 CEOs stepped down, the highest level of turnover since 2002.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
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Marshall also set the NFL record with 29 career fumble recoveries.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrative. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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