fairy tale

noun

Definition of fairy talenext
as in lie
a statement known by its maker to be untrue and made in order to deceive did you really see a bear, or are you telling us another one of your fairy tales?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 fairy tale The Disneyland horticulture team maintains the natural landscaping that provides realistic proportions for the miniature scenery along the fairy tale boat journey. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 Now that the fairy tale ended a long time ago, their incredible businesses, tremendous leadership, and franchises — moats — keep them a big part of the S & P 500 and the biggest part of tech, which is the biggest part of everything. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 June 2026 Madison Square Garden is reportedly being turned into a fairy tale set for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, complete with bespoke build and tight security. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Henry Selick adapted Coraline by Neil Gaiman and enlisted voice performances from greats like Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, plus music by They Might Be Giants, to tell this crafty, Grimm-esque fairy tale about alternate worlds. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fairy tale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fairy tale
  1. lie
  2. tale
  3. story
Noun
  • The plane also includes a spacious press cabin, according to a pool reporter onboard, with lie-flat seats that feature a massage function and individual TV screens.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • The press cabin contains 14 lie-flat pods, including large tan leather seats with luxury features such as lumbar supports and massage functions.
    — Emily Chang, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of lie
Noun
  • The agonizing legal circus surrounding Sumner Redstone’s final years at Paramount/Viacom is a sobering cautionary tale.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • The past few summers have seen nightmare tales from heatwaves in Europe — the continent with the fastest-rising temperatures under global warming.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of tale
Noun
  • This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
  • Gil was trapped beneath more than 100 tons of rubble after the partial collapse of the Galerias Playa Grande commercial center, which includes buildings nine and four stories tall.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of story

Browse Nearby Words

fairylike
fairy tale
fairy tales
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fairy tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fairy%20tale. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fairy tale

Nglish: Translation of fairy tale for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fairy tale

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