1
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
2
as in dramatic
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of histrionic
The actor who played the lovably histrionic Cameron Tucker on the ABC sitcom playfully flipped out over his onscreen husband, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, posting a picture from a series mini-reunion on Monday.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
These two are rarely histrionic.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
As bills were called up for debate, members lined up to ask questions about them, and the questions were often laden with histrionic and hyperbolic language.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Populated by unhinged men and masochistic women, and punctuated by fiery, increasingly histrionic set pieces, Smoke fails to reconcile its mood of noirish nihilism with its efforts at social commentary.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
These two are rarely histrionic.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
As bills were called up for debate, members lined up to ask questions about them, and the questions were often laden with histrionic and hyperbolic language.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Populated by unhinged men and masochistic women, and punctuated by fiery, increasingly histrionic set pieces, Smoke fails to reconcile its mood of noirish nihilism with its efforts at social commentary.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for histrionic
Adjective
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Its sequel Dhurandhar 2 is scheduled for theatrical release March 19, 2026, in five languages — Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam — expanding significantly beyond the original's Hindi-only strategy.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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But what’s newly troubling about this weekend is the new releases all came from outside the traditional theatrical studios, seemingly sensing an opportunity in the market that may not be there.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That means that instead of dramatic peaks and troughs in energy use, everything stays on an even keel.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Having explored the Mariana Trench, the summit of Everest, and the edge of space, Victor Vescovo knows what awe feels like in its most dramatic forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Keane steered them back gently but relentlessly, part operatic conductor, part Simon Says leader.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
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There’s great scenery chomping from Isabella Rossellini, whose operatic performance as The Corporation’s trophy wife turned scathing critic reveals a perspective on beauty and its discontents accessible only to those who’ve possessed, then transcended it.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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