short story

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

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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 What began as one short story turned into a series of them. Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025 Their short stories and novels confront a changing world where globalization and technology may threaten to blot out our inherent humanism. Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025 Dunham’s imprint, Lenny Books, published a few novels and a short story collection, then folded after barely two years. Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025 Hellions, Julia Elliott’s latest short story collection, is full of feral fairytales with a gothic twist. Shannon Carlin, Time, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for short story
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story
Noun
  • But the most sobering cautionary tale comes from 1894, when a lighthouse keeper’s pet cat named Tibbles was introduced to Stephens Island in New Zealand.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Comments On Swift Horses is rife with drama — a tale of a love triangle between a young woman, Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones), her Korean War veteran husband Lee (Will Poulter), and his iconoclastic brother Julius (Jacob Elordi).
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At the center of the most compelling stories lies a single, unshakable force: transformation.
    Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The untitled drama is based on Kerr’s final book Metropolis, which told the iconic detective’s origin story.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Penned in 1942 on Long Island and published a year later, Saint Exupéry’s timeless novella feels more relevant than ever.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Most Carmen opera or ballet productions draw the story from the 1854 novella by French writer Prosper Mérimée — and generally are set in 19th century Spain.
    Lisa Vernon Sparks, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Many are reshaping the narrative around contact lens care.
    Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • As the draft enters its final day, Sanders has yet to be picked causing previous pre-draft narratives to resurface throughout the NFL media landscape.
    Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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