dramatics

noun

dra·​mat·​ics drə-ˈma-tiks How to pronounce dramatics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: the study or practice of theatrical arts (such as acting and stagecraft)
2
: dramatic behavior or expression

Examples of dramatics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age movie packs plenty of gravity-defying martial arts, over-the-top teenage dramatics and even a dash of social horror. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2023 The searches for the missing each episode feature not just high dramatics but graphic onscreen violence; the show’s second episode, for instance, begins with a fellow being beaten bloody with a baseball bat to the head. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 8 Jan. 2023 Hammett, fifty-nine, and Trujillo, fifty-eight, are the band’s gentle, long-haired surfers, jazz enthusiasts disinclined to dramatics. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2022 Without the late-game dramatics, Philly sports fans with divided loyalties might have flipped the channel to catch the undefeated Eagles put the finishing touches on a 29-17 win in Houston over the Texans. Dan Gelston, ajc, 4 Nov. 2022 The ungentlemanly agreement results in Albie getting grifted by Lucia, whose pimp dramatics were an obvious ruse from jump. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2022 Allen beat Guyer 38-31 last season, and unfortunately for the national audience that tuned in Thursday to see two of Texas’ best high school football programs play, this year’s installment didn’t have quite the same dramatics. Dallas News, 20 Oct. 2022 The United States needed late dramatics to beat Iran on Tuesday and finish second in Group B. Oranje won Group A with two victories and a draw. Matthew Grimson, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2022 Certainly, the Dodgers and Padres have had heated moments on the field, particularly early last season with dramatics from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Trevor Bauer, but remember how that saga ended? Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dramatics.' 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

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dramatics was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near dramatics

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

dramatics

noun singular or plural
dra·​mat·​ics drə-ˈmat-iks How to pronounce dramatics (audio)
1
: the study or practice of theatrical arts
2
: dramatic behavior or expression

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