dramatize

verb

dra·​ma·​tize ˈdra-mə-ˌtīz  ˈdrä- 

dramatized; dramatizing

transitive verb

1

: to adapt (something, such 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

dramatizable

ˈdra-mə-ˌtī-zə-bəl 

ˈdrä-

adjective

Examples of dramatize in a Sentence

The movie dramatizes her early life.

The book is dramatized in a new play.

I know I tend to dramatize things but it really was awful.

She cited a series of statistics to dramatize the seriousness of the problem.

This tragedy dramatizes the need for improvements in highway safety.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are some of the aspects of Tony that actually happened in Anthony Bourdain’s life and others that were dramatized. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

The film dramatizes the story of infamous Dateline NBC series To Catch a Predator. — Debbie Day, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

The killing of Manzo triggered massive street protests in Uruapan and dramatized how organized crime exerts widespread control in much of Mexico. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

It can also be dramatized – turning a common medical procedure into something good, bad, or anything in between, depending on who is telling the story and how. — Brittany Luse, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dramat-, stem in derivation of drama + -ize

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dramatize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

dramatize

verb

dram·​a·​tize

ˈdram-ə-ˌtīz, 

ˈdräm-

1

: to make into a drama

2

: to present or represent in a dramatic manner

dramatization

ˌdram-ət-ə-ˈzā-shən, 

ˌdräm-

noun