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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of histrionic As a piece of political rhetoric, the word has become numbingly histrionic. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025 This may sound like the setup for a histrionic sci-fi soap opera. Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 Where so much of onscreen storytelling at the time was steeped in histrionic levels of sincerity and reverence for American institutions, Hill’s film had no interest in promoting the status quo or hiding whatever rottenness is present in this country’s criminal-justice system. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024 This is histrionic and fun and has a nice ending with Michael Longfellow. EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for histrionic
Adjective
  • Sure, there are Oscar campaigns and a few exceptions, but the theatrical potential is about on par with France at best.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 May 2025
  • The film, which is due to shoot later this year in Hungary, is being lined up for a U.S. theatrical release from Independent Film Company in 2026.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the real draw is the close-ups on slices of pork bubbling and sizzling on hot grills, plus the dramatic pans over bowls of banchan.
    Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
  • Think about incorporating brocade brilliance and making florals interesting in a dramatic way.
    Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • North Coast Symphony presents ‘Voices of Spring’ The North Coast Symphony Orchestra presents Voices of Spring, a program of operatic favorites, on Saturday, May 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdelena, Encinitas.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025
  • Not everybody was down with Preminger’s operatic approach (which was very much of its time), though the French New Wave famously embraced it.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on histrionic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!