made-up story; fiction; fabrication
Refers to a story that is invented rather than factual, ranging from harmless fiction to deliberate lies. Often carries a nuance of something not true.
His story was completely made up.
子どもに作り話を聞かせる。
Tell a made-up story to the child.
He's always telling made-up stories.
She ended up believing his made-up story.
The detective quickly saw through it as a fabricated story.
The story about that incident was a complete fabrication.
作り話 is a casual term for a made-up tale or excuse, while 捏造 is used more formally for fabricated evidence, data, or news.