Definitions

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

Prominent voices including Hillary Clinton and Natalie Portman told inspiring tales of women entrepreneurs lifting the fortunes of their communities.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

"Things that just a few months ago you might have considered buying have now become dreams and fairy tales," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren’t so fatigued by Monkey’s Paw tales because horror’s cyclical nature hasn’t yet completely revamped this trope for a new era.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

“They were telling tales about Mr. Pinkerton at that butcher shop,” I said stiffly, joining her on the staircase to our room.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan