as in tales
a traditional description of imaginary events circulated orally among a people
West African folktales that continue to be passed from generation to generation through storytelling
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Recent Examples of folktales
This ecology is woven into our folktales and culture.
—
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
The story, based on Venezuelan folktales, is exciting and thought-provoking.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Below, see the streamer’s list of authors to watch, from contemporary folktales and family dramas to dark fantasy and spicy time travel tales.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
The company is also tapping into Asia’s rich pipeline of source material, from webtoons and web novels to traditional literature and folktales.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
To keep her on track, Hero tells Cherry stories each night, loosely adapting the framework of the classic collection of Arabic folktales One Thousand and One Nights.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Atmospheric principles and folktales, spirit and substance, opposites and inversions.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The story centered on a young Palestinian man living in Jerusalem who must save his family after a Ghouleh, a female demon from his grandmother’s folktales, arrive in his town and threatens his home.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Freudians and evolutionary psychologists trawled folktales for evidence to shore up their theories.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
The story, based on Venezuelan folktales, is exciting and thought-provoking.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Below, see the streamer’s list of authors to watch, from contemporary folktales and family dramas to dark fantasy and spicy time travel tales.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
The company is also tapping into Asia’s rich pipeline of source material, from webtoons and web novels to traditional literature and folktales.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
To keep her on track, Hero tells Cherry stories each night, loosely adapting the framework of the classic collection of Arabic folktales One Thousand and One Nights.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Atmospheric principles and folktales, spirit and substance, opposites and inversions.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
The story centered on a young Palestinian man living in Jerusalem who must save his family after a Ghouleh, a female demon from his grandmother’s folktales, arrive in his town and threatens his home.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Freudians and evolutionary psychologists trawled folktales for evidence to shore up their theories.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folktales
Noun
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Co-founded by Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, the museum will rotate the famous filmmaker’s vast collection of narrative art, which contains objects not found in more traditional museums, including manga, comics and children’s tales.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The lobby is where the elderly owner scares children with tales of a witch who once haunted these grounds.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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New York Mets legends Gary Carter and Bud Harrelson both managed the team, with the latter also being a part-owner.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Hat tip to the production legends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (best known for lacing Janet Jackson, Usher, and other R&B titans with hits over the past several decades), who add to the track’s timeless appeal.—
Adelle Platon,
VIBE.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the original board members are still involved with the museum, but hundreds more joined the effort, some volunteering, others donating surf boards and memorabilia, and many sharing their stories, including famous surfers from Eddie Aikau, Nat Young, Greg Noll and Donald Takayama.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process, and do not review stories before publication.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s something for everybody in myths.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The first is the broader destigmatization of cannabis, as state after state dismantles old laws and outdated myths.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Later on, his older brother introduced him to other mature narratives.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Yet recovery narratives typically aren’t.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Last week, the fellows presented their culturally sustainable materials that center Black community histories and lineages for young learners ages 3-7.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Since New York’s humane pet shop law went into effect, three stores with troubling histories have moved to Connecticut.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her past high-profile romances with stars like Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas, Joe Alwyn, Matty Healy, and more are rumored to have inspired some of her biggest hits.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Folktales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folktales. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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