theater

noun

ˈthē-ə-tər How to pronounce theater (audio)
variants or theatre
Definition of theaternext
1
as in playhouse
a building or part of a building where movies are shown there's still one theater in town that shows independent films

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in drama
the public performance of plays have been fascinated by the theater ever since I was a child

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in auditorium
a large room or building for enclosed public gatherings the lecturer waited until the theater was full before beginning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 theater Stoker worked in the theater as a business manager and knew some of the great actors of that time, but his script didn’t get produced. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 Nyla Innuksuk’s supernatural thriller In the Heart of the South is the latest Canadian indie aiming to reclaim indigenous storytelling and representation in movie theaters. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026 This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026 The venue is expected to become home to two Major Arena Soccer League teams and could later expand to include housing, hotels, retail, restaurants, a card room and the city’s first movie theater. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for theater
Recent Examples of Synonyms for theater
  1. playhouse
  2. drama
  3. auditorium
  4. stage
  5. amphitheater
  6. production
  7. entertainment
  8. acting
Noun
  • The play is directed by the playhouse’s new co-artistic director Sasha Brätt.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Collectors and parents began sending Hoban photos of their own childhood playhouses, helping identify rare models, missing accessories and even how certain sets originally looked.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of playhouse
Noun
  • The drama that animates Mud is a Sisyphean one, and Wolf casts herself as agent of her own embarrassment and woe.
    — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • His insight gleaned from both his study of history and his instinctive attuning to the dramas that play out on the tongue made his food pop at Coach House and its casual, drinky sibling, Lilac Tiger.
    — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of drama
Noun
  • Guess theater owners didn’t want to risk another weekend of empty Imax auditoriums?
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Although the cinematography is largely straightforward, Anderson occasionally mixes it up with shots taken from various parts of the auditorium, including the rear of the stage and the ceiling.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of auditorium
Noun
  • Every stage of a deal is exciting in its own way, but a few elements stand out.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This helps all stages of the ecosystem, from the Uppsala spinout behind Leqembi, one of the first drugs to slow Alzheimer’s, through to Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca whose largest factory is in Södertälje.
    — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of stage
Noun
  • The facility also includes a picnic shelter, a restroom, a graffiti wall and an amphitheater for small concerts and events.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The massive structure hosted gladiator games and animal hunts—and remains the largest amphitheater in the world.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of amphitheater
Noun
  • The Type 01 is the first production car since the brand’s reinvention, and the most powerful, most aerodynamic, and most technologically advanced car Jaguar has ever built.
    — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Paul Heaney’s company itself acts as the central commissioner, putting projects into production and then sells the rights to buyers who have already stated their interest.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • Max Goldbart here taking you through a week in which one of the biggest entertainment deals of this century was waved through.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That money is split among entertainment-industry health and retirement funds, the Motion Picture & Television Fund and a National Association of Attorneys General fund.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But acting was never really considered a viable career in his family.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of acting

Browse Nearby Words

thaws
theater
theater-in-the-round
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All