paperback

noun

Definition of paperbacknext
as in hardcover
a published work that has a thick paper cover The store sells both paperbacks and hardcovers.

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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 paperback Also on the lobby level, a corner shop sells downloadable newspapers and magazines, snacks, and classic Penguin paperbacks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 The work earned Barber the admiration of President Bill Clinton and became a best-seller in paperback following the 9/11 attacks. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 Lion Hearts, the third novel in his Essex Dogs trilogy, a thriller series set in 14th-century France and England, is now in paperback. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026 Published in 1986 by Simon & Schuster, McMurtry’s novel — the first in the Lonesome Dove book series — spent 24 consecutive weeks in hardcover and 28 consecutive weeks in paperback on NYT’s Bestseller list, selling over 4 million copies. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paperback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paperback
  1. hardcover
  2. book
Noun
  • The untitled project got far enough in Hyperion’s pipeline to be assigned an ISBN and listed in bookseller databases as a 384-page hardcover.
    — Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • While the most popular e-readers are smaller than a hardcover, many are still a bit too large for true grab-and-go convenience.
    — Eliza Thompson, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardcover
Noun
  • In her latest book, Harvard historian Jill Lepore argues that Big Tech now controls the United States—and, by extension, the entire planet.
    — Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • My books include The Underground Guide to Color Printers (Addison-Wesley), Troubleshooting Your PC (Microsoft Press), and Faster, Smarter Digital Photography (Microsoft Press).
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of book

Browse Nearby Words

paper
paperback
paperbacks
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Cite this Entry

“Paperback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paperback. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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