DOCUMENTARY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

documentary 1 of 2

noun

Definition of documentary

as in docudrama

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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

The documentary, based on insider accounts from Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers, sparked outrage among Israeli officials, even spurring calls to consider criminal charges against the documentarians and strip them of their citizenship. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026 At the moment, three of his signature movies are simultaneously being resurrected — one by another famous Steven, as in Spielberg — while a fourth project based on an ex-wife’s memoir continues to gestate as either a possible drama or documentary. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The fest’s feature film competition jury will be presided over by James Bond director Cary Joji Fukunaga, while filmmaker Sine Plambech will head up the documentary competition jury. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 Supporters of the three men said the allegations were baseless and contradicted by documentary evidence. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for documentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for documentary

Noun

The audience gave a festival-best 22-minute standing ovation to the ticking-clock docudrama about efforts to save a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed by the IDF.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Either way, the age of the football docudrama looks here to stay.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of docudrama

Adjective

But the work’s critics also appeal to its past; actual encounter is informed by historical circumstances, which means looking back.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The bill would have directed state agencies to recognize historical inequities affecting tribes, and to consult with them on water projects, plans and policies.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of historical

Noun

Some robo-advisors offer more customization and features, such as tax-loss harvesting, which uses losses to offset other portfolio gains, or automatic rebalancing.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Hennekam remembers that patient to be 8 or 9, with distinctive features.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of feature

Noun

Researchers are now chasing even easier formats, including oral dissolving films, sometimes called thin films or sublingual films, that dissolve in the mouth and release medication without any injection.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Bird has concerns, particularly around the build-up of power around technological advancements, which push the film into surprising and exciting dystopian directions.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of film

Adjective

In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
This is what gives the film its experiential sincerity — the lived perspective of its Ukrainian crew leaving a nonfictional trace across every level of the fiction, something Stever handles with unusual reverence.

— Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonfictional

Noun

The showings will also be accompanied by a new featurette with director James McTeigue, who reflects on the enduring mythology of V and why the film’s ideas of freedom and resistance still resonate today.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
Cruise, never shy about the affiliation, climbed the Paramount water tower for the studio’s CinemaCon 2025 presentation featurette.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of featurette

Adjective

And in some sense, that’s a literal picture of a four-dimensional space.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
WallPops Scalamandré Leaping Cheetah Peel and Stick Wallpaper Animal print is reigning in fashion again, and this wallpaper has taken a literal approach when translating the trend to interiors.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of literal

Browse Nearby Words

documentaries

documentary

documentation

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“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/documentary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of documentary

noun

adjective

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