whole story

noun

: all the facts : everything
They failed to tell us the whole story.

Examples of whole story in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The effect is tricky — even many Netanyahu critics have criticized the movie for not telling the whole story; an anti-IDF film wouldn’t necessarily sit well with at least some Eisenkot supporters either. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 So a quick look at where an app supposedly originated may not tell the whole story. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 If an insurer reports losses while substantial amounts of money flow to affiliated businesses, looking only at the insurer’s bottom line may not tell the whole story. — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Companies routinely assure customers that their personal information is safe, but privacy policies and reassuring statements don’t always tell the whole story. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whole story

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whole story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20story. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster