dramatic

adjective dra·mat·ic \ drə-ˈma-tik \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: dramatic in a Sentence

Definition of dramatic

1 literature : of or relating to the drama

a dramatic actor

2 a : suitable to or characteristic of the drama

a dramatic story

a dramatic attempt to escape

a dramatic comeback

b : striking in appearance or effect

a dramatic pause

3 of an opera singer : having a powerful voice and a declamatory style — compare lyric

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dramatically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See dramatic defined for English-language learners

See dramatic defined for kids

Examples of dramatic in a Sentence

His parents noticed a dramatic change in his behavior.
There was a dramatic increase in prices.
The book tells the dramatic story of her battle with cancer.
She made a dramatic entrance wearing a bright red dress.
There was a dramatic pause before his big announcement.
The painter used dramatic colors.
They are members of the local dramatic society.

Recent Examples of dramatic from the Web

No matter when the debut comes, Skenes said the move won’t be too dramatic of an initial shift for the restaurant, which offers a $298 tasting menu.

— justin phillips, SFChronicle.com, "Saison adds a star chef: Laurent Gras," 10 July 2018
His departure this time, too, was less dramatic, cushioned by the memory of the 2016 title.

— marc stein, New York Times, "LeBron James Joining Lakers on 4-Year $154 Million Deal," 1 July 2018
Siphoning off profits for family alleged Sewer overflows, while dramatic, are not the only reason regulators are concerned with the company's operations.

— ryan randazzo, azcentral, "Water taps dry, sewers overflow as Johnson Utilities owner faces bribery trial," 28 June 2018
In some patients the response is dramatic, but most still don't benefit, and others are never prescribed the drugs.

— ken garber, Science | AAAS, "Mutation-counting blood test could predict if cutting-edge immunotherapies can beat a cancer," 27 June 2018
Andrew Sanders, a 30-year-old marketing writer from Massachusetts, went through a similar — though far less dramatic — transition.

— bijan stephen, The Verge, "The gospel of Elon Musk, according to his flock," 26 June 2018
While dramatic, that in and of itself doesn't make for a tipping point.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Barents Sea seems to have crossed a climate tipping point," 26 June 2018
Earlier in the day in Group A, things were considerably less dramatic, as Uruguay beat Russia 3-0 to win the group and leave the Russians in a we’ll-take-it second-place spot.

— grant wahl, SI.com, "Spain, Portugal Survive Simultaneous Madness; Uruguay Roughs Up Russia at World Cup," 25 June 2018
Less dramatic, but no less valued in some quarters, ravens serve to aid in the clean-up of our Alaska roadsides.

— john schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "Some words on birds and their impact on Alaska and the rest of the world," 24 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dramatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dramatic

see drama

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1589

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

dramatic Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of dramatic

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.