as in script
the written form of a story prepared for film production
each actor will be given a copy of the screenplay to study
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Recent Examples of screenplay
John Logan’s unfussy screenplay hones in on Michael’s ascent from star child phenom in the Jackson 5 up to being on the cusp of becoming the King of Pop.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Her adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel, starring Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson, won the festival’s screenplay award that year.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
More information about each of this year’s screenplays, provided by the Purple List team, follows.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Odenkirk co-wrote the story for Normal with Derek Kolstad, who in turn penned the screenplay.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screenplay
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Her adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel, starring Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson, won the festival’s screenplay award that year.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
More information about each of this year’s screenplays, provided by the Purple List team, follows.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Odenkirk co-wrote the story for Normal with Derek Kolstad, who in turn penned the screenplay.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screenplay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screenplay
script
Noun
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This script just keeps getting upgrades with every rewrite.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Now there’s a chance to flip the script — using money the borough’s wealthier neighbor has already generated.—
Peter Peyser,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screenplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screenplay. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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