DOCUMENTARY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

documentary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of documentary

as in docudrama

Related Words

Relevance

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

Plimsoll producer Alan Eyres approached the star about making a documentary about the ancient city for Nat Geo and Disney+. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 22 July 2026 Thus began a cathartic, multi-year journey of self-discovery that Maddox chronicles in her documentary. — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 22 July 2026

Adjective

The story of Stan Lee’s turbulent last years is finally getting the documentary treatment. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 Those selected on the documentary side are Chelsea Hernandez with The School of Hope, Vero Kompalic with Yosi, Hansen Lin with God Lives Here, Julia Pontecorvo with Unfiltered (working title), and Cherrelle Swain with Southmont Drive. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for documentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for documentary

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

Many of them feature amenities like a basketball court, weight rooms and a pool, while others may have unique features like boxing gyms or an ice rink.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Apple might delay the full rollout of these desktop AI utilities beyond the initial Q4 2026 macOS 27 release, preferring a staggered approach to unify features across platforms, mirroring iOS.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of feature

Adjective

Sanders noted that the president’s proclamation, which imposed a partial travel ban on holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports, contained several factual errors.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
The service has launched on the App Store, Google Play and a dedicated website with more than 100 titles across crime, drama, reality, dating, factual entertainment and docs.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Definition of factual

Noun

The film’s massive ensemble cast also features Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliott Page, Himesh Patel, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins, Mia Goth, James Remar and the voice of Bill Irwin.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
However, the role was most famously played by actor John Travolta in the 2007 version of the film.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 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

Additional bonus features include a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the film.

— Mike Snider, USA Today, 14 July 2026
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

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

Style

“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/documentary. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of documentary

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on documentary

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

maverick

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

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 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes