melodramatic

adjective

melo·​dra·​mat·​ic ˌme-lə-drə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce melodramatic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of melodrama
a luridly melodramatic script
2
: appealing to the emotions : sensational
the fund-raiser's desperate, melodramatic appeal for more donations
melodramatically adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for melodramatic

dramatic, theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like that of acted plays.

dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.

a dramatic meeting of world leaders

theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.

a theatrical oration

histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.

a histrionic show of grief

melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.

made a melodramatic plea

Examples of melodramatic in a Sentence

Oh, quit being so melodramatic!
Recent Examples on the Web The reason for Kate Middleton’s prolonged absence might be melodramatic or mundane, but no one trusts the Palace to tell the truth. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 When Bourne clarifies his story line, the production turns melodramatic, cheesily so on occasion. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024 The film, which feels overlong at 145 minutes, suffers both from repetition and an over-reliance on melodramatic plot devices. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Coming off the darkest year in the show's history, the sixth season sets a different course: bloodthirsty, chaotic, melodramatic, wild. Darren Franich, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 That’s when characters don’t talk quite like real people do but speak instead in weirdly stilted or melodramatic ways. Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Only melodramatic soft rock can fully conjure the necromantic schmaltz of Lisa Frankenstein, a new comedy about a teenager seducing a long-dead corpse. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2024 What keeps the audience invested is that the script, while heavy on melodramatic tragedy, clearly charts the characters’ varied emotions; fear, love, grief, anxiety, sweet relief. Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 28 Jan. 2024 Chowdhury could push this device toward melodramatic revelation. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'melodramatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of melodramatic was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near melodramatic

Cite this Entry

“Melodramatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melodramatic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

melodramatic

adjective
melo·​dra·​mat·​ic ˌmel-ə-drə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce melodramatic (audio)
1
: of or relating to melodrama
2
: resembling or suitable for melodrama : sensational
melodramatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on melodramatic

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