overdramatize

verb

over·​dra·​ma·​tize ˌō-vər-ˈdra-mə-ˌtīz 

-ˈdrä-

overdramatized; overdramatizing

transitive verb

: to present or represent (something) in an overly dramatic manner

Don't overdramatize the situation.

an overdramatized account

The seriousness of this problem … has been vastly overrated and overdramatized.

—Chris Welles

The stories, he says, sensationalize or overdramatize the family's troubles …

—James Laube

overdramatization

ˌō-vər-ˌdra-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌdrä-

noun

plural overdramatizations

As a child, I found Anne's plights and scrapes so worrisome, but as an adult I laugh out loud at her overdramatization of everything.

—Laurie Gelman

Examples of overdramatize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Topics get twisted and overdramatized so fast that the discussion of the original issues and concerns goes right off the rails. —Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 2 June 2023

Produced by Howard Hall Productions and Oceanic Research Group, the film was also created by couple, co-director Howard and producer Michele Hall, to show an accurate depiction of the ocean that doesn’t overdramatize predation. —Maddie Browning, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above