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
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Recent Examples of story line
The happy ending to that storyline is, not surprisingly, for this show that just keeps the hits coming, short-lived.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Here’s a look at some of the top storylines going into the event:
No Sharon the spotlight: A year after four wrestlers added their names to the list of four-time champions in state history, only one senior has a shot at joining that exclusive club this weekend: Fowler’s Traven Sharon.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
As the storyline for Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue unfolds in flashbacks, the plane crash survivors race to solve the deadly mystery before they, too, fall victim to the unseen killer.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Any personal runners, personal storylines, for any of the characters?
For sure.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for story line 
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Here’s a look at some of the top storylines going into the event:
No Sharon the spotlight: A year after four wrestlers added their names to the list of four-time champions in state history, only one senior has a shot at joining that exclusive club this weekend: Fowler’s Traven Sharon.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025
As the storyline for Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue unfolds in flashbacks, the plane crash survivors race to solve the deadly mystery before they, too, fall victim to the unseen killer.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Any personal runners, personal storylines, for any of the characters?
For sure.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for story line
Recent Examples of Synonyms for story line
Noun
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Her story is a testament to perseverance and unconditional love, reminding us that nothing is impossible.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
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Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Musk bid $97.4 billion for OpenAI's assets (not $94.7 billion).—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Mad About the Boy, an adaptation of the slapdash third novel that starts streaming on Peacock on February 13, keeps the trope-laden structure, but finds surprising depth in a devastating plot twist.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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As for Dexter, he’s forced into a minor plot detour to draw blood, inadvertently giving up two pints himself (one because Clark has had an HIV exposure and needs to pass off someone else’s blood as his own, and the other because Masuka corners Dexter into donating).—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But that entire apartment is a standing set, and most of the episode’s action (outside of a few brief street scenes) takes place inside.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
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Reddit users were just as quick to praise the pedestrian's actions, seeing the moment as a justified comeback rather than reckless behavior.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near story line
Cite this Entry
“Story line.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/story%20line. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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