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 The playwright turned filmmaker’s follow-up to The Banshees of Inisherin casts John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as CIA agents making trouble on Easter Island on the cusp of the 1973 Chilean coup d’état. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 Big names holding the pen Some celebrated playwrights are theater categories unto themselves. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026 Stone, working from a screenplay by Stephen Beresford (himself a playwright), does not follow his protagonist’s lead. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026 Per Tudum, the movie’s title comes from an unfinished play by Spanish playwright and poet Federico García Lorca, who was assassinated in 1936. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playwright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playwright
  1. writer
  2. dramatist
  3. screenwriter
  4. author
Noun
  • The three writers attempted to balance overall talent with building a sensible basketball team.
    — Victor Wembanyama, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In particular, actors should look for opportunities to work with experienced directors, producers, writers and performers who understand the demands of the business.
    — E'Ian West, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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
  • She was then approached by Kids director Larry Clark and its screenwriter, a then-19-year-old Harmony Korine, who wanted Dawson to audition for the part of Ruby — which would ultimately become her film debut.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Her father, Barry Shipman, was a screenwriter of Westerns who also wrote for Dick Tracy movies in the 1930s and TV’s Lassie in the 1960s.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of screenwriter
Noun
  • The authors would like to thank HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science for providing research funding informing this article.
    — Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rose, an Atlanta chef, cookbook author and television personality, isn’t relying on the barbecue sauce to do all the work.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of author

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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 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on playwright

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about playwright

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