docudrama

noun

docu·​dra·​ma ˈdä-kyə-ˌdrä-mə How to pronounce docudrama (audio)
-ˌdra-,
-kyü-
: a drama (as for television) dealing freely with historical events especially of a recent and controversial nature

Examples of docudrama in a Sentence

They are making a docudrama about the controversial court case.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The first time Kurt Russell met Val Kilmer was when the Hollywood homegrown was hanging out with Cher on the set of Silkwood, a 1983 docudrama. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025 The filmmaker broke out with his 2023 docudrama BlackBerry, charting the rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone, which premiered to critical raves at the Berlinale and was named by the National Board of Review as one of the Top 10 Independent Films of 2023. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025 This wouldn’t be the first time that a high-profile true crime docudrama has been castigated for exploiting victims. Aja Romano, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025 Hulu’s Good American Family makes docudrama out of her harrowing story, and fails her in the process. Aja Romano, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for docudrama

Word History

Etymology

documentary + drama

First Known Use

circa 1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of docudrama was circa 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Docudrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/docudrama. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

docudrama

noun
do·​cu·​dra·​ma
ˈdäk-yə-ˌdräm-ə,
-ˌdram-
: a drama (as for television) dealing freely with historical events especially of a recent or controversial nature

More from Merriam-Webster on docudrama

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