drama

noun

ˈdrä-mə How to pronounce drama (audio)
Definition of dramanext
1
as in theater
the public performance of plays he has been interested in drama from the first time he ever saw a play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in play
a written work in which the story is told through speech and action that is intended to be acted out on stage wrote a police drama that really captured the speech of cops and criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of drama Emery and Jarrell pointed to the creative freedom of audio drama as key to production. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 Simply juxtaposing their self-conceptions — a family horror, a therapy drama, a superhero actioner-cum-romantic comedy — with Ryan’s own broad, ’80s-style family comedy concept offers revelatory insight into the dynamics of their ecosystem. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026 In recent years, Woodell played a younger version of Winston in the 2023 John Wick spinoff, The Continental, and series co-lead Xander Phillips on the 2025 medical drama series Pulse. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 The incomparably salty and character-rich cast of Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine swept into Venice via water taxi Thursday to introduce the Oscar winner’s latest darkly literate comedy-drama. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drama
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drama
  1. theater
  2. play
  3. stage
  4. musical
  5. production
  6. dramatization
  7. entertainment
  8. comedy
Noun
  • Musical-theater departments are famously competitive, and the intensity appealed to her.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The recipients of the 15 million yen prize (approximately $95,000), are Jenny Holzer (painting), Andy Goldsworthy (sculpture), Daniel Libeskind (architecture), Herbert Blomstedt (music), and Cate Blanchett (theater/film).
    — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of theater
Noun
  • Seattle's success led the Las Vegas Raiders to hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as its head coach, and the team tapped Brian Fleury as his play-calling replacement.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
  • De La Cruz was involved in a sparkling defensive play in the bottom of the inning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of play
Noun
  • Taylor had grown up watching reruns of the sitcom on cable and even played Marcia in a stage show.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Three-stage response to drone attacks SCILT NAVAL combines its detection equipment and effectors in one onboard system.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of stage
Noun
  • The film follows a shy woman who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This rebellious new musical is about growing up, discovering yourself, and refusing to live by others’ expectations.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of musical
Noun
  • Earlier this year, India became the world's second largest mobile manufacturer, with more than 300 production units as compared to just two in 2014.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some upper-level seats were sold because of demand, but those buyers were relocated downstairs Tuesday once production was installed and additional lower-level seats opened up.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, a dramatization of the boardroom turmoil at OpenAI and Sam Altman’s brief ouster, was dropped by Amazon MGM shortly after Amazon deepened its strategic relationship with OpenAI.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • With each new season, there has been backlash to creative choices made in the dramatizations of these true crime stories.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of dramatization
Noun
  • Until now, backlash has been Hollywood’s default stance on AI, as the industry slumped under pressure from entertainment streaming services and soaring production costs.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The scenery is beautiful, though the onboard entertainment leans into classic all-inclusive territory, complete with a digital saxophone performance, audience participation, and the inevitable Macarena throw down.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Eisenberg’s playful comedy, which just premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, is sometimes a musical and occasionally a thriller.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • When Fyodor drags himself on the floor, begging for forgiveness or a bit more money to play roulette, the gesture straddles the line between humor and intense discomfort — veering into cringe comedy.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of comedy

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Cite this Entry

“Drama.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drama. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on drama

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drama

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