dramatization

noun

dra·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌdra-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌdrä-

1

: the action of dramatizing

2

: a dramatized version (as of a novel)

Synonyms

• drama
• play

Examples of dramatization in a Sentence

a dramatization of a true story

Recent Examples on the Web

This opening segment proves to be a dramatization of the mother’s courtroom testimony in the civil suit that forms the second half of the film. —Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

However, in the years following the trial, their work in prison providing therapy to other victims of childhood abuse, coupled with popular documentaries and a Netflix dramatization of their lives, has swayed public opinion in their favor. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

Regarding over dramatizations, Sonny’s sudden re-introduction to F1 makes for a compelling underdog story and generational clash with his teammate but in reality, nobody gets a seat in real-world F1 without arduously clawing their way up through Formula 2, Formula 3 and other motorsport leagues. —Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

The result is a vivid, surprisingly varied range of bummers, both domestic and foreign, many of them exquisite in their stoic but not heartless dramatizations of a world out to get you, somehow, with forces of doom snaking through the narratives. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dramatization

• self-dramatization

Rhymes for dramatization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

dramatization

noun

dra·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion

variants or British dramatisation

ˌdram-ət-ə-ˈzā-shən, ˌdräm- 

: the transformation which in psychoanalytic theory the underlying dream thoughts undergo into dramatic and pictorial form before they can take part in the actual dream