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

In some of the advertisements during this election cycle, AI was used for aesthetic enhancements, such as improving image quality or dramatizing events in the candidate’s life. — Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Cooke does his best to dramatize these origins, often through dry humor, but the personalities involved don’t quite rise to the level of an Aaron Sorkin drama. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Julian Schnabel dramatized his climb from street art to the gallery boom of the ‘80s in 1996. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Their story is drawn from Alberto Conejero’s play La Piedra Oscura, which in turn was inspired by Federico García Lorca’s unfinished work, La Bola Negra — which is itself also dramatized as part of Los Javis’ imaginative tapestry. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 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
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

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