1
as in dramatic
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
Many early critics have disparaged the film for being a confusing, melodramatic, metaphysical mess.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Instead, this campy and melodramatic action flick from 1993 mutated into an immersive research experience for me that was firmly anchored in the global pop culture of the time.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Rather than melodramatic views of the ship at sea, the first scenes captured intimate moments with a handful of passengers.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
But the rest of the movie doesn't live up to this opening, as it's shot relatively plainly, which does no favors to the melodramatic material.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for melodramatic
Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Instead, this campy and melodramatic action flick from 1993 mutated into an immersive research experience for me that was firmly anchored in the global pop culture of the time.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Rather than melodramatic views of the ship at sea, the first scenes captured intimate moments with a handful of passengers.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
But the rest of the movie doesn't live up to this opening, as it's shot relatively plainly, which does no favors to the melodramatic material.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for melodramatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melodramatic
Adjective
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In the 90th minute, Adrian Marin delivered a driving cross into the box, and Martín Ojeda got just enough of his head on the ball to steer it home, sealing the dramatic victory.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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Part of the villa juts outward in a dramatic cantilever supported by skinny columns, giving the structure a floating effect when viewed from the surrounding gardens.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The executive also used the high-profile gathering at the Martinez Hotel to reaffirm Canal+‘s long-term commitment to French cinema and the country’s theatrical model as negotiations loom over the renewal of the broadcaster’s agreement with film guilds to invest in French and European films.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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The film will mark Hello Kitty’s Hollywood theatrical debut.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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In a movie that’s almost operatic in its cymbal clashes of violence, its agonizing tensions and vicious threats, the heartstopping scene in which Hester receives her diagnosis at the doctor’s office is perhaps the single most devastating moment.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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With symphonic works, chamber delights, and operatic thrills on the calendar, here are three of the highlights.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melodramatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melodramatic. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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