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

This task requires her to dramatize the concepts of loneliness and identity to say something original and surprising. —Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025

Starring Susana Abaitua, Andrés Gertrúdix and Iraia Elias,, Díaz Yanes’ feature dramatizes Spain’s largest covert Civil Guard operation against ETA in the 1990s–2000s. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025

The king of Haiti’s tragic death is one of the most dramatized, and sensationalized, episodes in Haitian history. —Marlene L. Daut september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025

Hulu’s The Dropout chronicled Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, Apple TV+’s WeCrashed dramatized Adam Neumann and WeWork, while older films put the lives of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg on screen. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

dramat-, stem in derivation of drama + -ize

First Known Use

1783, 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