documentary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of documentarynext
as in docudrama

Related Words

Relevance

documentary

2 of 2

adjective

ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tə-rē How to pronounce documentary (audio)
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
This year alone, all five of the documentary nominees for the Academy Award had come through Sundance, and four of the five nominees for best director had been in the Directors Labs. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 At the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, the dressmaking prodigy was the subject of a short documentary that focuses on his commitment to upcycled fashion. — Shannon Carlin, Time, 14 July 2026
Adjective
The legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, along with photo identification to vote. — Reid Ribble, Time, 8 July 2026 The documentary categories will be presented as part of the Creative Arts Emmys, a two-night event September 5-6 at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for documentary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for documentary
  1. docudrama
  2. historical
  3. feature
  4. factual
  5. film
  6. nonfictional
  7. featurette
  8. literal
Noun
  • Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston, a three-part docudrama hosted by the Loki star that will premiere July 22 on the network at 9/8c and July 23 on Disney+ and Hulu.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 16 June 2026
  • The docudrama drew large crowds in France last year despite criticism from some secular and Catholic sources.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 2026
Definition of docudrama
Adjective
  • There are historical examples of teams that seemed dead in the water only to catch fire and make the playoffs.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • The interest is less in reproducing historical jewelry — no one is asking clients to dress like Julius Caesar — than in giving contemporary pieces the patina, uniqueness and narrative of objects that appear to have lived another life.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
Definition of historical
Noun
  • The Times, citing anonymous sources, reported the switch had come at the urging of the Secret Service, and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older aircraft, including antimissile capabilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Squarespace, on the other hand, is a fantastic option, thanks to its beautiful designs, intuitive editor, and powerful e-commerce features.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026
Definition of feature
Adjective
  • Martino received millions of dollars in cryptocurrency as proceeds from the conspiracy, according to a factual proffer signed by Martino and US prosecutors.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026
  • Getty Images The granting of a UPEPA special motion to strike means that the plaintiff's complaint was without substantial factual or legal support.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of factual
Noun
  • If Quentin Tarantino remains committed to retiring from filmmaking after his 10th feature film, then whatever movie the Oscar winner decides to make next will be his swan song from the big screen.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 16 July 2026
  • Adidas reportedly spent $67 million on its hero film, Backyard Legends, while Nike also splashed heavily on talent — Kim Kardashian, Kylian Mbappé, Central Cee, and LeBron James, among others — for its competing short, Rip the Script.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Definition of film
Adjective
  • 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
  • That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of nonfictional
Noun
  • The featurette teases Zada as Haymitch, with scenes ranging from the literal sunrise on his Reaping Day to Capitol interviews to the Games itself.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 4 July 2026
  • The featurette includes Zada discussing the character, which was originated onscreen by Woody Harrelson, along with director Francis Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson and co-stars Elle Fanning, McKenna Grace, Ben Wang and Jesse Plemons.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 July 2026
Definition of featurette
Adjective
  • Kafka always reminds me that literature is not the place for seeking literal knowledge, but a sanctuary and an endless reservoir of mystery and wonder.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • The Odyssey is a story of (literal) epic proportions, and everybody seems to agree that Christopher Nolan brings the awe.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 July 2026
Definition of literal

Browse Nearby Words

documentaries
documentary
documentation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/documentary. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on documentary

Nglish: Translation of documentary for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about documentary

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 obdurate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

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
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All