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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Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman star in Civil War melodrama, due for release in summer 2017.
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But how will this show’s melodrama and cynicism fare in a year when political strife seems baked into the daily news cycle?
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The director, Jesse Marchese, offsets the play’s tendency toward melodrama with an emphasis on honest emotion, especially in the big confrontation between the brothers in Act III, which reveals unexpected truths and complexities in both characters.
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Chevalier's realistic prose and naturalistic characters eventually clash with the melodrama that overtakes the plot.
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And then the plot turns to melodrama, an echo of the bleak Norse sagas that were part of its inspiration.
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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