tales

[teylz, tey-leez] / teɪlz, ˈteɪ liz /

NOUN

story

Synonyms

STRONGEST

account anecdote fable fiction legend myth narrative novel short story yarn

STRONG

narration relation report romance saga

WEAK

fairy tale folk tale

Antonyms

STRONGEST

non-fiction truth

NOUN

made-up story

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fiction rumor yarn

STRONG

canard chestnut clothesline defamation detraction exaggeration fabrication falsehood falsity fib lie misrepresentation prevarication rigmarole scandal slander spiel untruth

WEAK

cock-and-bull story tall story untruism

Antonyms

STRONGEST

truth

STRONG

honesty praise

WEAK

non-fiction

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And you thought spiteful stepmothers wreaked havoc only in fairy tales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Short stories from Hemingway’s tales to “Brokeback Mountain” and 2017’s “Cat Person” have long been source material for movies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

What sets their story apart from other revenge-laden tales of late is Harris’ remarkable knack for unvarnished realism.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

Because either McCluskie is one heck of a con man who rolled both Becerra and Williamson, making both believe what was happening was kosher with entirely different tales, or someone isn’t being entirely honest.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Magic and fairy tales and happily-ever-afters—they’re all just make-believe.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish