storyline
noun
sto·ry·line
ˈstȯr-ē-ˌlīn 
variants
or less commonly story line
plural storylines also story lines
1
: a plotline of a story, drama, or game
HBO's Insecure has been an exquisite platform of compelling, nuanced, mature storylines for Black TV comedy during its run.—
Matthew Allen
Matthew AllenPointless, menial objectives in a game distract from the main storyline and dilute the impact of more fun, engrossing missions.—Teddy Amenabar
Teddy AmenabarThe two story lines, each with its own compelling view of love, coalesce in a dramatic and surprising ending.—Martha Toll
Martha Toll
also
: story sense 1a
I've long wondered how the brain fits such unexpected sounds so smoothly and adroitly into dreams. The suggestion that the brain always brings phenomena to awareness a split second after they actually occur—in order to construct a plausible storyline for their appearance—offers a possible answer. —Robert Levy
Robert Levy 2
: a matter of particular importance, concern, or interest to an audience
—used especially in sports
The main storyline for the Timberwolves is the addition of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.—Tyler Schmidt
Tyler SchmidtThe fact Ovechkin has brought the impossible record within reach changes the way you watch the game. … Because Gretzky's goal total is the ultimate individual record in the sport, the chase trumps every other storyline surrounding this team from now until Ovechkin gets there.—J. J. Regan
J. J. Regan
often
: one that is evolving or developing
The offensive line is a major storyline to watch throughout training camp and the preseason, especially considering there's a new quarterback under center for the fifth consecutive season. —Kevin Hickey
Kevin Hickey Examples of storyline in a Sentence
the story line is clumsily interrupted several times to provide some much-needed background information
Recent Examples on the Web
While the new season will focus on the group dynamics with the addition of Hope, the new season will also dive into other storylines from season 1 — including the ongoing tensions between the women and Whitney Leavitt and where exactly Jen Affleck and her husband Zac stand as a couple.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
So, there's always an agenda for the best storyline possible, and that's just the way the world is with these entertainment programmes.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Casting a singular storyline or having one’s queerness or transness be the central focus also places an undue burden on the cast members against others on the cast.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
Miss Manners: Is my co-worker's 'public food' rule a real thing?
49ers clear the decks for Brock Purdy: Say goodbye to the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ storyline
49ers clear the decks for Brock Purdy: Say goodbye to the 'Mr. Irrelevant' storyline
Silicon Valley’s white-hot tech economy pushed up housing costs.
—Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
The show has dealt with domestic abuse in a recent storyline.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Although the show lacks a central narrative storyline, the thread, of course, is Larson, and the central themes found throughout his work: the tension between art and commerce, friendship, addiction, politics and sexuality.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
An adults-only drama about an exotic dancer's entanglements with a rich family (and its many secrets), Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black is dark, violent, and scandalous, with storylines revolving around murder, blackmail, and human trafficking.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Over the past month or so, that creative direction has gotten off-course a bit, with unclear WrestleMania paths for numerous marquee stars and SmackDown struggling to deliver entertaining storylines.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
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Athena Sobhan, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
So, there's always an agenda for the best storyline possible, and that's just the way the world is with these entertainment programmes.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Casting a singular storyline or having one’s queerness or transness be the central focus also places an undue burden on the cast members against others on the cast.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
Miss Manners: Is my co-worker's 'public food' rule a real thing?
49ers clear the decks for Brock Purdy: Say goodbye to the ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ storyline
49ers clear the decks for Brock Purdy: Say goodbye to the 'Mr. Irrelevant' storyline
Silicon Valley’s white-hot tech economy pushed up housing costs.
—Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2025
The show has dealt with domestic abuse in a recent storyline.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Although the show lacks a central narrative storyline, the thread, of course, is Larson, and the central themes found throughout his work: the tension between art and commerce, friendship, addiction, politics and sexuality.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
An adults-only drama about an exotic dancer's entanglements with a rich family (and its many secrets), Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black is dark, violent, and scandalous, with storylines revolving around murder, blackmail, and human trafficking.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Over the past month or so, that creative direction has gotten off-course a bit, with unclear WrestleMania paths for numerous marquee stars and SmackDown struggling to deliver entertaining storylines.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Storyline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/storyline. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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