melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈme-lə-ˌdrä-mə 
-ˌdra-
1
a
: 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 melodrama
b
: the genre (see genre sense 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.
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 on the Web
What the series share is a tone that splits the difference between prestige costume drama, high melodrama, and fairy tale (the Elizabeths come from a family that practices magic).
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The twisted part is that, all things considered, and teenage melodrama aside, this should have been a perfect getaway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
Barbara Rush, the classy yet largely unheralded leading lady who sparkled in the 1950s melodramas Magnificent Obsession, Bigger Than Life and The Young Philadelphians, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Mar. 2024
That oppressive presence means that, even as the series is largely subdued — there are crises that require action, and moments of great suspense, handled without melodrama — the tension never quite dissipates.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Through a blend of comedy and melodrama, the series delves into themes of identity and stereotypes, providing a social commentary on machismo and gender norms prevalent in the 1980s.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024
These setpieces call for melodrama, yet we’re met with the director’s trademark stoicism.
—Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
Threaded throughout the black-and-white footage of Angela’s mad rushes to and fro are clips from a 1980s Romanian film called Angela Moves On, a melodrama about a female cab driver.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2024
At times, only an occasional small cloud drifted in a sea of blue sky, seeming almost out of place, a bit of scenery left behind by the departure of some earlier atmospheric melodrama.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024
Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The twisted part is that, all things considered, and teenage melodrama aside, this should have been a perfect getaway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
Barbara Rush, the classy yet largely unheralded leading lady who sparkled in the 1950s melodramas Magnificent Obsession, Bigger Than Life and The Young Philadelphians, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Mar. 2024
That oppressive presence means that, even as the series is largely subdued — there are crises that require action, and moments of great suspense, handled without melodrama — the tension never quite dissipates.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Through a blend of comedy and melodrama, the series delves into themes of identity and stereotypes, providing a social commentary on machismo and gender norms prevalent in the 1980s.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024
These setpieces call for melodrama, yet we’re met with the director’s trademark stoicism.
—Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
Threaded throughout the black-and-white footage of Angela’s mad rushes to and fro are clips from a 1980s Romanian film called Angela Moves On, a melodrama about a female cab driver.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2024
At times, only an occasional small cloud drifted in a sea of blue sky, seeming almost out of place, a bit of scenery left behind by the departure of some earlier atmospheric melodrama.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'melodrama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near melodrama
Cite this Entry
“Melodrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melodrama. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈmel-ə-ˌdräm-ə
-ˌdram-
1
a
: a work (as a movie or play) marked by the exaggerated emotions of the characters and the importance of action and plot
b
: such works as a group
2
: melodramatic events or behavior
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