Definition of story linenext
as in story
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 line Bam Adebayo wasn’t aggressive enough on the offensive side of the ball, which has been a consistent story line of his nine-year NBA career. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 The series also features a brief story line involving Manchester, a neighbor of the Borden family, portrayed by Linda Reiter. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 The new season will feature a story line involving the fictitious Cincinnati Times, which was filmed in the offices of the Los Angeles Times. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026 These story lines add a sense of urgency and progress to a series that was a little too comfortable being amiably aimless. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
  • Her campaign denies any involvement in the apparent Sullivan scheme, but the New York Times story and prior reporting could be used to call into question her fitness to serve.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The open arms welcoming of Algeria by its base camp in Lawrence became one of the World Cup’s feel-good stories.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • On the way across the bay, Melanie is attacked by a random seagull, setting up the sinister plot device.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of forcing plot onto his amorously hapless characters, Shaw explores leitmotifs in a playful, contrapuntal fashion.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • First-person human videos provide examples of how people interact with objects and perform everyday activities, while robot trajectories connect visual observations with physical actions and their outcomes.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • When Wilson sent me her timeline, her request for the operative actions of the city (resolutions and ordinances) was nearly four weeks old.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Story line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20line. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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