Thesaurus results for SHORT STORY

short story

noun

Definition of 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

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 According to EduTopia, putting images and short stories or quotes around the classroom can inspire students and give them a greater sense of belonging. — Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026 The Complete Stories Published in 1971 but written much earlier, Flannery O’Connor’s sharp, Southern Gothic short stories cement her place in the American literary canon. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 Hancock wrote the script adapting the book by Matt and Harrison Query, which in turn was based on a short story by Matt Query that first appeared on Reddit. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 Only 38% read a novel or short story, while reading for pleasure has dropped dramatically. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short story

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short story

Noun

Set in 1964 and based on a true story, the film tells the tale of a young journalist who tracks down a potential Nazi officer living secretly in New York and befriends the suspect’s charming wife.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Like James himself, the men are clever and bookish, writing letters or diaries, reading voraciously, and imagining themselves into tales of romance and Biblical comeuppance.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of tale

Noun

Deep in the Pyrenees mountains, a young man, Miquel, struggles in the wake of his mother’s death in a snowstorm — a tragic event that was at the center of Tóibín’s 2006 novella, A Long Winter.

— Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Published in 1979, this novella is the oldest of the books noted here, but time has certainly not diminished its power.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of novella

Noun

The confusion could muddy the narrative of having the best models in the market that OpenAI would no doubt like to present ahead of a possible 2027 IPO.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Above and below the main narrative of the Bayeux Tapestry are two strips filled with ancient beasts, including tail-chasing dogs and tightly knotted swans.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of narrative

Browse Nearby Words

short stories

short story

short subject

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Short story.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short%20story. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of short story

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on short story

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gist

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes