HISTRIONIC Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'histrionic' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of histrionic are dramatic , melodramatic , and theatrical . While all these words mean "having a character or an effect like that of acted plays," histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess. // a histrionic show of grief

Q: When could 'dramatic' be used to replace 'histrionic'?

The synonyms dramatic and histrionic are sometimes interchangeable, but dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply. // a dramatic meeting of world leaders

Q: Where would 'melodramatic' be a reasonable alternative to 'histrionic'?

In some situations, the words melodramatic and histrionic are roughly equivalent. However, melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism. // made a melodramatic plea

Q: When is it sensible to use 'theatrical' instead of 'histrionic'?

The meanings of theatrical and histrionic largely overlap; however, theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression. // a theatrical oration

histrionic

adjective

ˌhi-strē-ˈä-nik

Definition of histrionic next

as in theatrical

given to or marked by attention-getting behavior suggestive of stage acting a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in theatric

having the general quality or effect of a stage performance we never tired of his histrionic reenactment of how he found money under the floorboards of a house he was renovating

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word histrionic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of histrionic are dramatic, melodramatic, and theatrical. While all these words mean "having a character or an effect like that of acted plays," histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.

a histrionic show of grief

When could dramatic be used to replace histrionic?

The synonyms dramatic and histrionic are sometimes interchangeable, but dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.

a dramatic meeting of world leaders

Where would melodramatic be a reasonable alternative to histrionic?

In some situations, the words melodramatic and histrionic are roughly equivalent. However, melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.

made a melodramatic plea

When is it sensible to use theatrical instead of histrionic?

The meanings of theatrical and histrionic largely overlap; however, theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.

a theatrical oration

Examples of histrionic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Some members noted that key symptoms such as identity disturbance, outbursts of anger, and unstable interpersonal relations also featured in narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders. —

Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024 The rhetoric was histrionic, but every Justice seemed to take seriously the concern that a sitting President’s worry about future personal liability would impair his ability to fulfill his constitutional duties. —

Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2024 In truth, not even the most stolid skeptic maintains that Trump is a perfectly normal politician, and not even the most histrionic #Resistance foot soldier believes that Trump is literally Orange Hitler. —

Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024 The histrionic burden falls heaviest on Lock, who cannot be said to emerge unscathed. —

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for histrionic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'histrionic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.