melodramatic

melo·dra·mat·ic

adjective \ˌme-lə-drə-ˈma-tik\

Definition of MELODRAMATIC

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of melodrama

2

: appealing to the emotions : sensational

— melo·dra·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of MELODRAMATIC

1. Oh, quit being so melodramatic!
2. <our office drama queen yet again made the melodramatic declaration that he was contemplating suicide>

First Known Use of MELODRAMATIC

1808

Related to MELODRAMATIC

Synonyms

dramatic, hammy, histrionic, theatrical, stagy (or stagey)

Antonyms

undramatic

Related Words

actorish, actorly, actressy; overacted, overdone, sensational, staged; conspicuous, elaborate, flamboyant, grandiose, ostentatious, showy; affected, artificial, exaggerated, mannered, pretentious, self-conscious, studied, unnatural

Near Antonyms

nondramatic, nontheatrical, unaffected, underplayed, unpretentious; muted, restrained, subdued, toned (down); conservative, discreet, inconspicuous; modest, plain, quiet, simple

See Synonym Discussion at dramatic

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with MELODRAMATIC

adiabatic, aristocratic, asymptomatic, axiomatic, diagrammatic, electrostatic, epigrammatic, gerontocratic, homeostatic, idiomatic, meritocratic, monochromatic, paradigmatic, physiocratic, psychodramatic, psychosomatic, soap-operatic, undemocratic, undiplomatic