dramatic

adjective dra·mat·ic \ drə-ˈma-tik \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 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

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 2.6% of the U.S. population suffers from bipolar, a disorder that causes dramatic shifts in someone's mood, energy, and ability to think clearly.

— refinery29.com, "Is Kanye West Glamorizing Mental Illness In His Latest Album?," 4 June 2018
In the 1940s, Los Angeles, like the country itself, was in the middle of a dramatic shift spurred by World War II, said Eduardo Pagán, a history professor at Arizona State University.

— marisa gerber, latimes.com, "Zoot Suit Riots: After 75 years, L.A. looks back on a violent summer," 4 June 2018
That return of life could offer lessons in how marine ecosystems might recover after the dramatic shifts caused by climate change, the researchers suggest.

— katherine kornei, Science | AAAS, "Life rebounded just years after the dinosaur-killing asteroid struck," 30 May 2018
What Stewart is seeing on his campus in Rhode Island is part a dramatic shift happening across America: E-cigarettes have quietly eclipsed cigarette smoking among adolescents.

— julia belluz, Vox, "Juul, the vape device teens are getting hooked on, explained," 18 May 2018
But dramatic temperature shifts can be avoided if emissions are curtailed to the level specified by the Paris Agreement, the authors said.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "N.J. flounder, sea bass pushed north because of climate change, say scientists," 18 May 2018
The scoring correction negated what would have been a dramatic finish for Arrowhead.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scoring correction in the discus gives Waukesha West girls Classic 8 title," 10 May 2018
There was a buzz around Malaysia Thursday as the nation came to terms with one of the most dramatic political shifts in its history.

— laignee barron / langkawi, Time, "'A New Chapter in Malaysia's History.' Voters React to Stunning Election Results," 10 May 2018
Cavaliers: Several Cleveland players watched the dramatic finish of the 76ers-Celtics game from their locker-room chairs before tipoff. ... James moved past Tony Parker (226) for the fifth-most games in postseason history.

— tom withers, Houston Chronicle, "LeBron James hits buzzer-beater to down Raptors," 6 May 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.