as in scripts
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 screenplays
Artists Equity is unveiling its Writers’ Room program, an in-house development initiative focused on cultivating original screenplays.
—
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
One in 4,000 screenplays results in a profitable theatrical outcome.
—Daren Smith, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026
Anderson had been nominated 14 times previously, including five times for screenplays and three times for best director.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Soon, Zayn went from writing short screenplays as an individual, to working on short film productions as a team.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Her screenplays have been finalists at Cinequest, the Austin Film Festival, Final Draft’s Screenwriting Contest, Screencraft’s Film Fund, Rooftop’s Filmmaker Fund, and featured at The Gotham’s Independent Project Forum.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Page Six suggests that's the one Willimon, also known for writing screenplays for 2011's The Ides of March and 2018's Mary Queen of Scots, is working on and already submitted a draft for.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look back at that winner, plus the films and people who took home prizes for director, and adapted and original screenplays.
—Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The first step in del Valle’s creative process is writing short essays or stories, sometimes scripted like screenplays.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
One in 4,000 screenplays results in a profitable theatrical outcome.
—Daren Smith, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026
Anderson had been nominated 14 times previously, including five times for screenplays and three times for best director.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Soon, Zayn went from writing short screenplays as an individual, to working on short film productions as a team.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Her screenplays have been finalists at Cinequest, the Austin Film Festival, Final Draft’s Screenwriting Contest, Screencraft’s Film Fund, Rooftop’s Filmmaker Fund, and featured at The Gotham’s Independent Project Forum.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Page Six suggests that's the one Willimon, also known for writing screenplays for 2011's The Ides of March and 2018's Mary Queen of Scots, is working on and already submitted a draft for.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look back at that winner, plus the films and people who took home prizes for director, and adapted and original screenplays.
—Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
The first step in del Valle’s creative process is writing short essays or stories, sometimes scripted like screenplays.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screenplays
scripts
Noun
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Five scripts were awarded fellowships and five finalists.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Golden Apple website notes that Tina Fey frequented the restaurant during her time at the Second City and wrote her scripts in the booths.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screenplays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screenplays. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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