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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Example Sentences
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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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And on Tuesday, new details emerged in the indictment of Mr. Bolsonaro showing that, according to Brazilian investigators, the former president had met with military agents about a detailed plot to fatally shoot Justice Moraes as part of their bid to hold on to power.—
Jack Nicas,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
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In a world that seems more dangerous, with nefarious foreign actors, states, terrorists, plots and wars occurring in different regions of the world, DSS personnel are critical to maintaining U.S. national security presence and keeping U.S. embassies and American citizens safe.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Shaw will not be in action for Jamaica in their back-to-back friendlies against Peru on February 23 and 26 during the upcoming international break.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
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The program has faced consequences of careless actions even before that, said Benjamin Chevat, executive director at Citizens for Extension of the James Zadroga Act.—
Nancy Cutler,
USA TODAY,
19 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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