theatrical

adjective

the·at·ri·cal | \ thē-ˈa-tri-kəl

variants: or less commonly theatric \ thē-ˈa-trik

Definition of theatrical

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to the theater or the presentation of plays a theatrical costume

2 : marked by pretense or artificiality of emotion

3a : histrionic a theatrical gesture

b : marked by extravagant display or exhibitionism

theatrical

noun

Definition of theatrical (Entry 2 of 2)

1 theatricals plural

a : the performance of plays

b : dramatics

2 British : a professional actor

3 theatricals plural : showy or extravagant gestures

Other Words from theatrical Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about theatrical

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Other Words from theatrical

Adjective

theatricalism \ thē-ˈa-tri-kə-ˌli-zəm

\ noun

theatricality \ thē-ˌa-trə-ˈka-lə-tē

\ noun

theatrically \ thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for theatrical

Synonyms: Adjective

dramatic, hammy, histrionic, melodramatic, stagy (or stagey)

Antonyms: Adjective

undramatic

Choose the Right Synonym for theatrical

Adjective

dramatic, theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like that of acted plays. dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply. a dramatic meeting of world leaders theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression. a theatrical oration histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess. a histrionic show of grief melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism. made a melodramatic plea

Examples of theatrical in a Sentence

Adjective

a politician who has a highly theatrical manner of speaking after stepping out of their hired limousine, the prom couple made a theatrical entrance in their evening clothes

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

His work in the studio could make his street photography feel alarmingly crisp, almost theatrical. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "The uncommon power of Gordon Parks," 10 June 2019 The annual Tony Awards are the theatrical equivalent of film’s Oscars or music’s Grammys. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "‘Hadestown’ dominates Tony Awards," 9 June 2019 The show is shaping up to be a hit, despite a lack of name recognition and a very crowded theatrical marketplace. — Michael Paulson, New York Times, "Who Won and What Happened at the 2019 Tony Awards," 9 June 2019 Play scripts were originally conceived not as literary works but as theatrical resources. — Phyllis Rackin, The Atlantic, "The Hidden Women Writers of the Elizabethan Theater," 8 June 2019 Dance doesn't lend itself to literal storytelling, so Forbidden Paths instead uses dramatic, theatrical imagery to make its points. — Dallas News, "Dallas dance troupe premieres piece protesting laws that discourage women in Iran from dancing," 7 June 2019 The theatrical elements give P2 an air of surreality, while also foregrounding its status as, well, a game. — Julie Muncy, WIRED, "Pathologic 2 and What Games Can Learn From Low-Tech Art," 7 June 2019 The event plays out a little like a Lone Star Home Companion, in which writers read their stories with theatrical and musical accompaniment. — Houston Chronicle, "The Must List: Texas Monthly Live, Tributo a Soda Stereo," 6 June 2019 Are theatrical releases better than those on over-the-top (OTT) platforms? — Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "Why a 118-year-old Bollywood music label is now betting on offbeat films," 6 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The criticisms are not unlike the kind of sharp verbal attacks PETA has leveled at SeaWorld over the years about the parks’ captive orcas and their participation in theatrical shows. — Sam Hodgson/the San Diego Union-tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, "PETA’s latest demand: End ‘circus-style’ dolphin shows at SeaWorld," 5 June 2019 The Tony Awards are here, and with 10 nominations under its belt and record-breaking box office numbers since its debut in the U.S. on April 22, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a theatrical must for Muggles and wizards alike. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About Broadway's 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'," 10 June 2018 My wheelhouse is much more magic mystery theatrical based. — Nicole Pajer, Billboard, "'Lip Sync Battle Live': Hailee Steinfeld, Laverne Cox, Taraji P. Henson & Neil Patrick Harris Tackle the King of Pop," 19 Jan. 2018 To be able to celebrate last night the span of theatrical with Evan Hansen to electronic with Kraftwerk to alternative and pop with Portugal. — Colin Stutz, Billboard, "Atlantic's Julie Greenwald on Celebrating Label's 13 Grammy Wins: 'I Haven't Felt This Way Since College'," 29 Jan. 2018 So much theatrical happens in the piece, verging on aural cartooning, that some in the audience took Baker’s announcement as part of the composition, reacting with chuckles. — Alan G. Artner, chicagotribune.com, "Talea Ensemble opens Contempo series with rare, exceptional program," 28 Oct. 2017 But studios have countered that theatrical has become a larger share of the revenue because of the collapse in DVD sales, one of the people said. — Fortune, "This Map Will Show You the World’s Most Expensive Stock Markets," 19 Aug. 2017 There’s a lot of debate with filmmakers over streaming vs. theatrical. — Jon Niccum, kansascity, "Thanks, Netflix: Here’s where to find acclaimed movies shot by KC filmmakers," 3 Aug. 2017 Orlando will be the last of three SeaWorld parks to end the theatrical shows, probably late next year. — By Marjie Lambert, miamiherald, "Hi-tech, immersive worlds and big franchises highlight Florida theme parks’ evolution," 19 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theatrical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.