as in tale
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel
her very first short story was accepted for publication in a local journal
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 short story
The project grew out of a short story Sophia wrote in college inspired by observing her younger brother’s teenage years in New York.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 June 2026
The company is additionally developing a workplace comedy situated in a radio station, Windover Radio, and Bob’s Pest Control, a series adaptation of a 2023 comedic sci-fi short story by Ryan Hyatt.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026
An extended chapter of Hector on a shoot in Argentina could stand by itself as a wonderful short story about male ego, vanity, desire and loyalty.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Since then, the latter has authored over 40 fantasy and science fiction works, including novels, graphic novels, young adult novels and short stories which have collectively sold over 50 million copies worldwide.
—Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for short story
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 8 June 2026
The company is additionally developing a workplace comedy situated in a radio station, Windover Radio, and Bob’s Pest Control, a series adaptation of a 2023 comedic sci-fi short story by Ryan Hyatt.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026
An extended chapter of Hector on a shoot in Argentina could stand by itself as a wonderful short story about male ego, vanity, desire and loyalty.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
Since then, the latter has authored over 40 fantasy and science fiction works, including novels, graphic novels, young adult novels and short stories which have collectively sold over 50 million copies worldwide.
—Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
-
However, the demise of a similar project in Serbia offers a cautionary tale.—
Zana Cimili,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
One morning earlier this week, Thomas Lupo, the president and CEO of the American Wood Column Corporation, was in his office regaling two young entrepreneurs with tales of his 110-year-old family business.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Balogun's big night marked a historic moment in one of the more fascinating American soccer stories in USMNT history.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
This story has been updated with new information and to add video.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The Norwegian writer Vigdis Hjorth creates a whole world in very few pages in this novella-length work in which even the pacing of the narrative itself does so much of the storytelling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
In this inventive, boundary-pushing follow-up to Detransition, Baby, one novella and three stories take on gender, transness and lives on the margins in all of their gorgeously complicated glory.—
Caroline Killilea,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Under the partnership, Virtue Asia and COL will work together to package opportunities for regional marketers across microdrama, vertical video and mobile-first narrative entertainment.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
One of the biggest shifts happening in menopause research is the move away from scary narratives about the aging female brain.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
