dramatize

dra·ma·tize

verb \ˈdra-mə-ˌtīz, ˈdrä-\

: to make (a book, an event, etc.) into a play, movie, television show, etc.

: to make a situation seem more important or serious than it really is

: to show (something that might not be noticed) in a clear and effective way

dra·ma·tizeddra·ma·tiz·ing

Full Definition of DRAMATIZE

transitive verb

1

:  to adapt (as a novel) for theatrical presentation

2

:  to present or represent in a dramatic manner

intransitive verb

1

:  to be suitable for dramatization

2

:  to behave dramatically

— dra·ma·tiz·able \-ˌtī-zə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of DRAMATIZE

1. The movie dramatizes her early life.
2. The book is dramatized in a new play.
3. I know I tend to dramatize things but it really was awful.
4. She cited a series of statistics to dramatize the seriousness of the problem.
5. This tragedy dramatizes the need for improvements in highway safety.

First Known Use of DRAMATIZE

1783