1
as in theatric
given to or marked by attention-getting behavior suggestive of stage acting
our office drama queen yet again made the melodramatic declaration that he couldn't take it anymore and was quitting
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2
as in theatrical
having the general quality or effect of a stage performance
he gave his usual melodramatic speech that he had learned his lesson and thereafter would always pay his bills on time
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Recent Examples of melodramatic
And this emotional but never melodramatic four-part drama, written by Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials) and directed by Michael Keillor, is an unusually empathetic and perceptive example.
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Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
These were the anarchists, whose isolated but highly publicized acts of individual retaliation were intended as inspirational melodramatic theatre rather than as actual revolutionary politics.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Among Jean-Baptiste’s most extraordinary moments is the intimate Mother’s Day gathering that takes place without melodramatic fireworks but comes face-to-face with Pansy’s private implosion.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025
Unfortunately, as the action grows bloodier, the acting grows more melodramatic.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodramatic
Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
These were the anarchists, whose isolated but highly publicized acts of individual retaliation were intended as inspirational melodramatic theatre rather than as actual revolutionary politics.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Among Jean-Baptiste’s most extraordinary moments is the intimate Mother’s Day gathering that takes place without melodramatic fireworks but comes face-to-face with Pansy’s private implosion.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025
Unfortunately, as the action grows bloodier, the acting grows more melodramatic.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodramatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melodramatic
Adjective
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Connecting to the series’ overriding narrative, this theatrical backstory opens in 1943 when a secret government experiment on a battleship goes spectacularly wrong, creating an opening to a parallel dimension and unleashing its dark powers.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2025
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The occult realm of Netflix, the streaming service that ensnares viewers in a maze of maybes, has joined forces with Sonia Friedman Productions to convert a piece of prime theatrical real estate into a zone of franchise extension.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The sight of brown pelicans diving headfirst into the ocean in pursuit of a meal represents one of the distinctive visual images of the California coast, their dramatic flight the highlight of a predatory mission.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Trump's second-term tally—just five bills signed—underscores a dramatic shift toward consolidating presidential power.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pierce and Karimloo embrace their characters’ operatic origins, but transform them into musical comedy icons.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
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But for anyone with a taste for operatic violence and fountains of blood as shotgun and assault rifle blasts send bodies flying in slo-mo or dancing like convulsive marionettes, Gareth Evans’ gritty neo-noir will be just the ticket.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Melodramatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melodramatic. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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