story lines

noun

plural of story line
as in stories
the unfolding of events in a dramatic or literary work the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 story lines Here are four Hurricanes story lines to follow over the course of the draft. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026 There were plenty of compelling story lines taking shape as the sun began to dip on the legendary course. — Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 The series combines potty-mouthed put-downs with more sentimental story lines. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 Because the casting and story lines that developed gave us people to root for and against—something every great Survivor season needs. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 Running Point has basketball, familial drama and romantic story lines — but off-screen, much of the cast is committed to their real-life partners. — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 Through interviews with almost 30 immigrants navigating the H-1B system, the team learned of the real impact of policy changes and incorporated them into game story lines. — Ko Lyn Cheang, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026 Multiple story lines in the first season are fuelled by the fear that one spouse is aging faster than the other, whether physically or psychologically—an underexplored but undoubtedly common anxiety among couples approaching retirement age. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 And while Louis and Molloy are mostly absent from the source material, Jones and the writers’ room invented new story lines for them, sometimes repurposing plot points from future Vampire Chronicles entries. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story lines
  1. stories
  2. plots
  3. actions
Noun
  • Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • The history of Kaskaskia is full of stories of resilience and stubborn pride, but also of the inevitability of nature.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of stories
Noun
  • In one of the side plots to The Lord of the Rings, two of the Hobbits attempt to rouse Treebeard—a wise but ponderous sentient tree—to defend his forest from an army that is cutting it down.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026
  • Parreno said the grant will cover the costs of about a year’s worth of water for the garden’s 100-plus members, who also pay dues to access plots.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of plots
Noun
  • In a White House news release listing 60 actions the administration has taken as part of its America First agenda to restrict immigration, the first four actions were decisions by the Supreme Court.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Lesnick said the department would move those Arkansans to other plans without any actions required from them at the moment.
    — Nathan Ansell, Arkansas Online, 6 July 2026
Definition of actions

Browse Nearby Words

story line
story lines
storyteller
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Cite this Entry

“Story lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20lines. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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