Definition of melodrama
1a : a work (such as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization an actor with a flair for melodramab : the genre (see genre 1) of dramatic literature constituted by such works
2 : something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality The trial turned into a melodrama.
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Examples of melodrama in a Sentence
Critics dismissed his work as melodrama.
an actor with a talent for melodrama
She is starring in another melodrama.
The trial turned into a melodrama.
a life full of melodrama
Recent Examples of melodrama from the Web
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Dave Gettleman has turned the exit interview into a melodrama during his four-plus years as the Carolina Panthers’ general manager.
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Burton's visuals are lovely and the performances are the pitch perfect balance between camp and melodrama, and one can't help but see Johnny Depp's central performance as Edward is sensitive and sweet, and has touches of drag to boot.
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Pancake breakfasts, Sawtooth Rangers Rodeo, parade on Main Street, a shoot-out melodrama, music, antique markets, Draper Preserve River Festival, fireworks.
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This is not the first time that Trump, the former star of reality TV and tabloids, has manufactured a melodrama that begins with bluster but often ends with a whimper.
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The angry voices calling for Hedy Weiss' ostracism from Chicago's theater scene echo a melodrama that played in Athens 2,509 years ago.
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That scene sums up GLOW, which takes everything over-the-top about professional wrestling, pushes it to higher levels of absurdity and melodrama, and finds something deeply personal, explicitly political, and wonderfully brute-force awesome.
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Kiwi singer Lorde, fresh off her excellent sophomore album Melodrama, found herself in some melodrama of her own after attempting to explain some of her more high-profile friendships.
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For her directorial debut, Dexter-Jones wrote and directed Cecile on the Phone, an 11-minute short which explores the melodrama that ensues when a former flame reenters one's life.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'melodrama.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of melodrama
modification of French mélodrame, from Greek melos song + French drame drama, from Late Latin drama
Other Performing Arts Terms
MELODRAMA Defined for English Language Learners
melodrama
playDefinition of melodrama for English Language Learners
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: drama in which many exciting events happen and the characters have very strong or exaggerated emotions
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: a situation or series of events in which people have very strong or exaggerated emotions
Learn More about melodrama
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See words that rhyme with melodrama Spanish Central: Translation of melodrama Nglish: Translation of melodrama for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of melodrama for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about melodrama
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