documentary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of documentarynext
as in docudrama

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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
Critic’s Pick A gorgeous and devastating documentary follows a father obsessively looking for his missing son. — Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 This year, there are 19 of them, including eight features, six documentary shorts, and five narrative shorts. — Libby Smith, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Additionally, a companion documentary-style film spotlights Loopwheeler’s fabric. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 However, cinematographers always need time and encouragement to get inventive with commonplace tools, especially in the documentary world where Hutchens does so much work. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 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
  • The Landman actor is hosting a three-part docudrama about the Mayflower for the streamer.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of docudrama
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, in Bar Sur, regional maker Cata Flaño contributed a massive mixed-media mural combining watercolors with local peat, driftwood, and historical navigation charts marked at 55 degrees south.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Rudnitzky said historical developments, the impact of the Oslo Accords and the entry of new Arab representatives into the Knesset contributed to a gradual shift away from Jewish parties, with more Arab voters turning to Arab parties.
    — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of historical
Noun
  • While the bathrooms in most accommodations feature walk-in showers, a few of the upstairs rooms have bathtubs, making those rooms a good choice for families.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Introduced for 2024, the Equinox EV combines long range, a smooth ride quality, and a generous list of standard features at an affordable price.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of feature
Adjective
  • Dunlay said the city prepared the report to provide the City Council with factual information about investments in the 2nd District over a 10-year period.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Within Italy’s unscripted sphere, the factual genre has seen the most significant growth, up 36% in terms of number of hours, with the number of domestic factual titles adapted from international formats doubling.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of factual
Noun
  • The film itself is non-linear and does not have a voiceover, both of which were unusual choices for the time.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The actor’s more recent film credits include Tim Burton’s 2019 Dumbo remake and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024).
    — Kelly Martinez, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of film
Adjective
  • In Aaron Sorkin’s new thriller, the fictional Haugen — who, like her nonfictional counterpart, leaks thousands of documents to Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz — habitually dons the accessories.
    — Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of nonfictional
Noun
  • The showings will also be accompanied by a new featurette with director James McTeigue, who reflects on the enduring mythology of V and why the film’s ideas of freedom and resistance still resonate today.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Cruise, never shy about the affiliation, climbed the Paramount water tower for the studio’s CinemaCon 2025 presentation featurette.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of featurette
Adjective
  • Think flapper-era waves, 1930s screen sirens and yes, a literal cartoon as a mood board.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The setting is surreal and the events are the literal definition of stranger than fiction.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of literal

Browse Nearby Words

documentaries
documentary
documentation
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Cite this Entry

“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/documentary. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about documentary

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