dramatization

noun

dra·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion ˌdra-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌdrä-

1

: the action of dramatizing

2

: a dramatized version (as of a novel)

Synonyms

• drama
• play

Examples of dramatization in a Sentence

a dramatization of a true story

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dramatization

• self-dramatization

Rhymes for dramatization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

dramatization

noun

dra·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion

variants or British dramatisation

ˌdram-ət-ə-ˈzā-shən, ˌdräm- 

: 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