1
as in theatrical
given to or marked by attention-getting behavior suggestive of stage acting
a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dramatic
having the general quality or effect of a stage performance
we never tired of his histrionic reenactment of how he found money under the floorboards of a house he was renovating
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of histrionic
Fifty years ago, after the histrionic sixth game of the World Series at Fenway Park, Peter Gammons wrote perhaps the most lyrical prose ever penned about a baseball game.
—
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The actor who played the lovably histrionic Cameron Tucker on the ABC sitcom playfully flipped out over his onscreen husband, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, posting a picture from a series mini-reunion on Monday.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
These two are rarely histrionic.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
As bills were called up for debate, members lined up to ask questions about them, and the questions were often laden with histrionic and hyperbolic language.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The actor who played the lovably histrionic Cameron Tucker on the ABC sitcom playfully flipped out over his onscreen husband, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, posting a picture from a series mini-reunion on Monday.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
These two are rarely histrionic.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
As bills were called up for debate, members lined up to ask questions about them, and the questions were often laden with histrionic and hyperbolic language.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for histrionic
Adjective
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Bad Bunny’s decision to defy any theatrical fashion expectations on the Super Bowl stage tonight makes total sense when considering his long style history.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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At halftime, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered an energetic performance featuring his biggest hits, powerful imagery and theatrical nods to songs and symbols from throughout his Spanish-language catalog.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The baker's dozen invited to the event on Wednesday represents a dramatic increase from last season.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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The growth in connected TV usage proved most dramatic in Indonesia and the Philippines, highlighting how living room viewing on large screens is becoming central to the streaming category’s evolution.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The performers paid homage to Italy’s musical traditions, with three great operatic composers, Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, and Giacomo Puccini, appearing on the stage as mascot-like characters.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
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Cecilia Bartoli is a force on any stage, turning every performance into a spectacle with her bold voice and operatic flair.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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