melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈme-lə-ˌdrä-mə 
-ˌdra-
1
a
: a work (such as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization
an actor with a flair for melodrama
b
: the genre (see genre sense 1) of dramatic literature constituted by such works
2
: something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality
The trial turned into a melodrama.
Examples of melodrama in a Sentence
Critics dismissed his work as melodrama.
an actor with a talent for melodrama
She is starring in another melodrama.
The trial turned into a melodrama.
a life full of melodrama
Recent Examples on the Web
Considering the show’s audience, the decision to turn the story of 1066 into a family melodrama-cum-colonial parable starts to make sense.
—
Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Panettiere and Britton co-led the beloved musical melodrama for six seasons, beginning when Panettiere was only 22.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
This was authentic teen melodrama, in a glorious time for pop radio, fitting into the airwaves alongside Prince and Whitney and Bon Jovi and LL Cool J.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Via visual gags, a cast of gifted comic actors and a script that pulls both from ’80s and ’90s TV movies and screen classics like Suddenly, Last Summer and The Children’s Hour, Maddie’s Secret straddles the line between comedy and melodrama, creating a wholly unique cinematic experience.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodrama
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Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
Panettiere and Britton co-led the beloved musical melodrama for six seasons, beginning when Panettiere was only 22.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
This was authentic teen melodrama, in a glorious time for pop radio, fitting into the airwaves alongside Prince and Whitney and Bon Jovi and LL Cool J.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Via visual gags, a cast of gifted comic actors and a script that pulls both from ’80s and ’90s TV movies and screen classics like Suddenly, Last Summer and The Children’s Hour, Maddie’s Secret straddles the line between comedy and melodrama, creating a wholly unique cinematic experience.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodrama
Cite this Entry
“Melodrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melodrama. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈmel-ə-ˌdräm-ə
-ˌdram-
1
a
: a work (as a movie or play) marked by the exaggerated emotions of the characters and the importance of action and plot
b
: such works as a group
2
: melodramatic events or behavior
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