DOCUMENTARY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

documentary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of documentary

as in docudrama

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documentary

2 of 2

adjective

ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tə-rē

as in historical

restricted to or based on fact a documentary film about the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 documentary

Noun

What happened inside Telluride’s secret screening of Nathan Fielder’s new Elizabeth Holmes documentary. — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 But the documentary does feature a wide-ranging interview with Musk himself. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Supposedly, the documentary crew that followed Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch has moved on to its next project, chronicling a Midwestern newspaper's struggle to survive. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026 So much so that a charismatic friend (Holly Sabiston) in Austin, Texas, put me in touch with another friend of hers, Laura Dunn, who was making a documentary film about Wendell and his vision. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for documentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for documentary

Noun

The audience gave a festival-best 22-minute standing ovation to the ticking-clock docudrama about efforts to save a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by the IDF.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Either way, the age of the football docudrama looks here to stay.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of docudrama

Adjective

Bonesho said this latest interpretation doesn’t lessen the artifact’s historical importance.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
In addition to the historical displays and remembrances, Bennett said, there will be music courtesy of local band Emerald City and games and activities for children.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of historical

Noun

Factory floor gets smarter One of the main features planned for BIC North is ASML’s new flow factory, a manufacturing model designed for its TWINSCAN lithography systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
When the device is closed, a smaller exterior screen on the front cover provides quick access to key apps and features.

— Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of feature

Adjective

That factual slipperiness might matter less if the psychology connected more deeply.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Docs On The Dock There is always a strong line up of documentaries at the Rendez-Vous, with sellers turning up at the waterfront location with new factual shows.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of factual

Noun

To make matters worse, his short film didn’t get into Sundance, but his mom doesn’t seem to be surprised by that.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
In many ways, Therese is the picture of earnestness (right down to her appearance in Rooney Mara’s film portrayal—her eyes wider than the rims of Carol’s martini glasses).

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of film

Adjective

This is what gives the film its experiential sincerity — the lived perspective of its Ukrainian crew leaving a nonfictional trace across every level of the fiction, something Stever handles with unusual reverence.

— Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.

— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of nonfictional

Adjective

Playing the helpful citizen, Martinez drove his literal truckload of ALPR bits directly to the Sheriff’s department, where he was promptly taken into custody.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Something at home could be bothering you more than you’d like to admit, perhaps a tense family dynamic or the fact that your apartment is a literal mess.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of literal

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documentaries

documentary

documentation

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Style

“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/documentary. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of documentary

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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