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 Real Women takes a more tender, less histrionic approach. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025 Tang Ren’s histrionic, oftentimes scatological behavior is offset by Qin Feng’s almost superhuman intuition, and director Chen Sicheng has repeatedly doffed his cap to the BBC’s hugely successful series Sherlock, not least in the vivid visualisations of Holmes’ deductive reasoning. James Marsh, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for histrionic
Adjective
  • Up until that point, Oscar gowns had often been the purview of costume departments and more theatrical designers (save an occasional visit by a Givenchy).
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Zhou’s theatrical vision explores humor, sensuality, and existential themes, resulting in garments that blur the boundaries of fashion, sculpture, and spectacle.
    Essence, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That means the blood-red moon will climb above the eastern horizon already darkened, creating a dramatic but challenging sight.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In the end, the most dramatic deadline-day transfer was the one that reflected a summer-long trend.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Dido’s wonderfully operatic dying curse on her former lover foreshadows the future wars between her people and the descendants of the treacherous Trojans.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As the sun sets, the towers shift color to the operatic soundscape by composer Orlando Gough.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 8 Sep. 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!