as in stories
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work
the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information
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Recent Examples of story lines
The episode was one of a number of ugly—and increasingly ridiculous—story lines to have coalesced around Massie’s primary race, which takes place on Tuesday.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Running Point has basketball, familial drama and romantic story lines — but off-screen, much of the cast is committed to their real-life partners.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
On the iconic teen drama, the duo starred as Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay, whose on-again, off-again relationship became one of the series' primary story lines.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
While each episode has carefully plotted character arcs and story lines, the writing for Company Retreat extended far beyond what appears onscreen.
—Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Through interviews with almost 30 immigrants navigating the H-1B system, the team learned of the real impact of policy changes and incorporated them into game story lines.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a political thriller with intertwining story lines, the A-lister stars as a veteran CIA agent who uncovers an assassination plot in the Middle East.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
The frenzy is being driven by a large local alumni base and riveting story lines like Indiana’s Heisman trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, returning home to play in South Florida, where his Cuban heritage has been engaging new audiences.
—Anna J. Kaiser, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Running Point has basketball, familial drama and romantic story lines — but off-screen, much of the cast is committed to their real-life partners.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
On the iconic teen drama, the duo starred as Kelly Taylor and Dylan McKay, whose on-again, off-again relationship became one of the series' primary story lines.
—Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
While each episode has carefully plotted character arcs and story lines, the writing for Company Retreat extended far beyond what appears onscreen.
—Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Through interviews with almost 30 immigrants navigating the H-1B system, the team learned of the real impact of policy changes and incorporated them into game story lines.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a political thriller with intertwining story lines, the A-lister stars as a veteran CIA agent who uncovers an assassination plot in the Middle East.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
The frenzy is being driven by a large local alumni base and riveting story lines like Indiana’s Heisman trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, returning home to play in South Florida, where his Cuban heritage has been engaging new audiences.
—Anna J. Kaiser, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story lines
Noun
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There’s no better time to swap scary stories than when the wind is howling and candles are flickering.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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The story traces the interconnected lives of three gay men across three eras — 1932, 1937, and 2017 — braiding together stories of desire, loss, and what one generation bequeaths to the next.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, the 2024 documentary about the State Department’s use of jazz diplomacy in Africa amid CIA assassination plots, sets Nikita Khrushchev’s fist and Allen Dulles’s deceit against the Cold War’s swinging anti-colonial score.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
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But there is a growing sense of paranoia in Moscow, with security around the president tightened amid rumors of coup plots.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
Noun
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His actions were neither political nor partisan, but patriotic.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
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Criminal charges are being pursued in connection with the firearm, accessibility of it to a child, and actions taken after the incident.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Story lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20lines. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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