Definition of narrativenext
1
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

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 narrative The Houthis’ reentry into the regional conflict in August took place alongside a shift in their political narrative, which increasingly centered on their long-standing adversary, Saudi Arabia. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Variations in form and narrative However, many poets, bards, and troubadours experimented with form to create ballads featuring more than four lines in a stanza and different rhyme schemes or meters. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026 Enemies may often become allies — one of my favorite narrative tropes. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 But the first season was hampered by the show’s narrative ambitions and the complication of Lee as the protagonist. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for narrative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narrative
Noun
  • After the boutique’s statement, Clarkson doubled down on her claims on her Instagram stories with photos featuring a price tag on the bird that contradicted the shop’s first statement.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Some economists, including researchers at the Minneapolis Fed, argue the data don’t tell such a clean story.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Then on Wednesday morning, Luna reunited with her owners thanks to the efforts of local rescuers, tourists and park employees, capping a survival tale that required avoiding bears and coyotes while locating enough sustenance and shelter.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That level of control precluded a Vatican media operation from spinning tall tales as occurred during John Paul's reign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The fire-scar chronology was the oldest ever recorded in eastern North America.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Where previous generations once encountered retro TV classics through reruns and physical media releases, streaming makes practically everything available all at once and scrambles the release chronology completely.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As for the sitting president, he’s named just once, in the opening line of the titular novella.
    — Ryan Chapman, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The company is working on a feature adaptation of Pulitzer Prize finalist Torrey Peters’ novella Stag Dance and a feature romantic comedy from Carly Usdin and Brittani Nichols featuring WNBA players Gabby Williams, Theresa Plaisance, and Syd Colson.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Agents now match reconciliations, draft journal entries, suggest accrual estimates and write the variance commentary that goes to the audit committee.
    — Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • All four movies exhibit Mackenzie’s knack for trenchant social and political commentary slightly heightened by his elegance as a dramatist and visceral genre filmmaker, and all are accompanied by illuminating supplements.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The worst security failure in the country’s history raised troubling questions about whether the financial lifeline helped to sustain Hamas’s grip on power and, in turn, enabled it to carry out the assault.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Speed is now free, which means, for the first time in history, speed is worthless.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Seed ‘innovation accounts’ with $5,000, and that’s $28,635 in gains.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Click here to login/register your account Digital subscriber?
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Officers responding to a report of a stabbing found Dodge, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The transfer follows a report that Combs received special perks and the rapper’s hospitalization with a head injury.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Narrative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narrative. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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