dramatization

noun

dra·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌdra-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce dramatization (audio)
ˌdrä-
1
: the action of dramatizing
2
: a dramatized version (as of a novel)

Examples of dramatization in a Sentence

a dramatization of a true story
Recent Examples on the Web
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Peacock’s eight-part dramatization is one of the better ones, and covers the reign of terror of 1970s killer John Wayne Gacy, the infamous contractor and creepy clown lover from Iowa responsible for at least 33 murders. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 One person might see that scene as satire and somebody else might see it as a dramatization of something that was happening. Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 Hollywood streamers and studios seemingly can't resist such tales, which explains the boom of true crime documentaries and dramatizations over the past decade. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 Anything that was changed was more for dramatization, Cianfrance says. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dramatization

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dramatization was in 1796

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Cite this Entry

“Dramatization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dramatization. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

dramatization

noun
dra·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion
variants or British dramatisation
: the transformation which in psychoanalytic theory the underlying dream thoughts undergo into dramatic and pictorial form before they can take part in the actual dream

More from Merriam-Webster on dramatization

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