passion play

noun

variants often Passion play
: a dramatic representation of the scenes connected with the passion and crucifixion of Jesus

Examples of passion play in a Sentence

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 author of A Thousand Ships and Stone Blind reimagines the Greek myth of Medea as a passion play, rife with domestic fury and murder most foul. Hamilton Cain, Time, 3 Mar. 2026 Williams has witnessed firsthand how passion plays a huge role in success; the now 52-year-old philanthropist and artist has been releasing, writing, and producing music since the 1990s, amassing more than three decades of chart-topping hits. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Feb. 2026 Even they’re relegated to little more than supporting players and symbolic representations of troubled youth straight out of a BBC kitchen-sink passion play. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025 Worried over his role in the unfolding passion play, Slusser left Atlanta to return to the Midwest. Martin Padgett june 12, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for passion play

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passion play was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Passion play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion%20play. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

passion play

noun
often capitalized 1st P
: a play representing scenes connected with Jesus' suffering and crucifixion

More from Merriam-Webster on passion play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster