dramatize

verb

dra·​ma·​tize ˈdra-mə-ˌtīz  ˈdrä- 

dramatized; dramatizing

transitive verb

1

: to adapt (something, such as a novel) for theatrical presentation

2

: to present or represent in a dramatic manner

intransitive verb

1

: to be suitable for dramatization

2

: to behave dramatically

dramatizable

ˈdra-mə-ˌtī-zə-bəl 

ˈdrä-

adjective

Examples of dramatize in a Sentence

The movie dramatizes her early life.

The book is dramatized in a new play.

I know I tend to dramatize things but it really was awful.

She cited a series of statistics to dramatize the seriousness of the problem.

This tragedy dramatizes the need for improvements in highway safety.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Skripal incident was previously dramatized in the 2020 BBC miniseries The Salisbury Poisonings that starred Wayne Swann as Sergei Skripal and Jill Winternitz as Yulia Skripal. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026

It’s been dramatized in novels and an ABC series starring Kiefer Sutherland that aired from 2016 to 2019. —Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

Some critics contend that dramatizing their story for television reignites it. —Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

For Oppenheimer, the sequence was about dramatizing how isolation reshapes what a person does next. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

dramat-, stem in derivation of drama + -ize

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dramatize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

dramatize

verb

dram·​a·​tize

ˈdram-ə-ˌtīz, 

ˈdräm-

1

: to make into a drama

2

: to present or represent in a dramatic manner

dramatization

ˌdram-ət-ə-ˈzā-shən, 

ˌdräm-

noun