retelling

noun

re·​tell·​ing (ˌ)rē-ˈte-liŋ How to pronounce retelling (audio)
: a new version of a story
a retelling of a Greek legend

Examples of retelling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Speaking to People on August 7, an anonymous source disputed Stewart’s retelling of her encounter with Meghan. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 Unlike 2019, the 2026 class of billion-dollar films are spread across multiple studios and include not just sequels and franchise films but a musical biopic and a cinematic retelling of a 2,700-year-old epic poem. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 The retelling of the centuries-old Greek epic raked in $51 million this weekend, bringing its worldwide earnings to $721 million. — Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 But the teen’s humble retelling underplays a harrowing incident. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for retelling

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retelling was in 1883

Rhymes for retelling

See All Rhymes for retelling

Browse Nearby Words

retell
retelling
retem
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retelling. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All