MELODRAMA Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

melodrama

noun

Definition of melodrama

as in comedy

Related Words

Relevance

as in sentimentality

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 melodrama Colleen Hoover is bringing more romantic melodrama to your streaming movie life. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 July 2026 But there’s a savvy 2026 vibe about the way the film refuses to create florid melodrama out of quotidian crisis, and instead observes with generosity as the characters grope awkwardly toward emotional détente and mutual forgiveness. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 The show focuses on a love triangle between brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and their childhood friend Belly (Lola Tung), and the fallout of the love triangle's melodrama on their family and friends. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 The plots of Roman romance novels are full of heightened melodrama. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for melodrama

Recent Examples of Synonyms for melodrama

Noun

The former’s status as a non-comedy comedy has been processed ad nauseam, but Margo makes for a more interesting case as a new show.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
The next year, Pastore starred opposite Annabella Sciorra, Ron Eldard and future Sopranos star Aida Turturro in the comedy romance True Love.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of comedy

Noun

There’s a time to think like a minimalist, and a time to let sentimentality win.

— Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
The difficulty lies in discerning exactly what should hold onto—whether out of practicality or sentimentality—and what can be confidently tossed.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026

Definition of sentimentality

Noun

That’s what appears to be the case with Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, who first met in 1992 on the set of romantic tragicomedy Jamón Jamón.

— Alessandra De Tommasi, Vanity Fair, 5 July 2026
As opposed to tragedy’s narrative arc of historical fate, tragicomedy unfolds in an infinite present.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026

Definition of tragicomedy

Noun

While this gentler effort is unlikely to be similarly impactful, its witty humor and genuine emotionalism recall the best of Pixar, where its director worked as a story artist on such films as Wall-E and Incredibles 2.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
Arpino’s interest in popular culture, athletic technique, and unapologetic emotionalism has found a new audience in the post-Balanchine world.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025

Definition of emotionalism

Noun

Early loves his creation, enough to spin an entire psychodrama around her, one that will bring her high and low.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Part adult-film fever dream, part technicolor psychodrama, these cult favorites have ‘wtf’ written all over them, in the best way possible.

— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 24 June 2026

Definition of psychodrama

Noun

Despite the film’s slow-cinema touches, its storytelling structure and emotionality — even though muted and quiet — recall instead the melodrama at its most facile.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026
Capturing the emotionality of the moment was paramount, and an especially incredible feat, considering Pfeiffer and her scene partner had never met before shooting.

— Hilton Dresden, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026

Definition of emotionality

Noun

The film’s story is said to follow a young dancer at an elite ballet school who finally earns the lead in a prestigious recital, but her focus is shattered by a family tragedy.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences are with the families, friends, classmates, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of tragedy

Browse Nearby Words

melodists

melodrama

melodramas

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Melodrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melodrama. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of melodrama

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on melodrama

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes