playwright

noun

Definition of playwrightnext
as in writer
a person who writes plays The actor perfectly captured the unique cadences employed by the playwright.

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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 playwright Ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes’ comedy The Frogs inspired the Caxys nickname. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 An Atlanta playwright is bringing her work to the stage as part of the SheATL Summer Theater Festival. — Donald Fountain, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 In our conversation, the playwright references Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s record of refusing to send food into Gaza as one example. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 In early May 1987, Charles Ludlam, a playwright, parody actor, and admired figure in New York’s East Village underground arts scene, withdrew from the New York Shakespeare Festival’s scheduled Central Park production of Titus Andronicus. — Sam Roberts, Longreads, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playwright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playwright
  1. writer
  2. dramatist
  3. screenwriter
  4. author
Noun
  • Neither group showed higher-than-normal death rates from cancers that aren't tied to radiation exposure, noted the commentary writers, Catherine Olsen and Ken Karipidis.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes the cure for writer’s block is just having something to react to, and ChatGPT is always there to provide fodder.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of writer
Noun
  • Since Don Juan was introduced in 1630 by dramatist Tirso de Molina, the Spanish Lothario has appeared in numerous re-interpretations, but perhaps the most important debuted a century ago.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 8 Aug. 2026
  • One of Gary Graves’ biggest strengths as a dramatist is that nary a word feels wasteful when written by him.
    — Charles Lewis III, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dramatist
Noun
  • Director-screenwriter Jacob Chase, who has experience with this sort of material thanks to his 2020 horror film Come Play, establishes tension in the opening moments and steadily ratchets it up from there.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But that’s because Higgsfield tapped a human screenwriter, adding authorial voice underneath images that are sometimes obviously AI-generated.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of screenwriter
Noun
  • Assessing the entries this year were a total of six panels, comprised of independent experts from across the industry, including top writers, authors and broadcasters from England and Scotland.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Follow-up research is needed to really prove bedbugs actually are spreading MRSA to people, said one of the study's authors, Jose Pietri, who is now at Purdue University.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of author

Browse Nearby Words

play (with)
playwright
playwrights
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Cite this Entry

“Playwright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playwright. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on playwright

Nglish: Translation of playwright for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about playwright

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