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 movie’s attempts to dramatize her history of near-violence feel perfunctory to the point of incuriosity. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026

Elsewhere, in Bern, carnival organizers staged two anti-papal plays, one which criticized the by then common Catholic practice of selling indulgences for money, and another which dramatized Luther’s confrontation with the Vatican. —Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026

Events leading up to the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard are set to be dramatized in a new two-part series for the BBC. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

Of course, Ryan Murphy also does that predictable thing of dramatizing how everyone heard the news. —Lisa Depaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 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