1
as in dramatic
given to or marked by attention-getting behavior suggestive of stage acting
our office drama queen yet again made the melodramatic declaration that he couldn't take it anymore and was quitting
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2
as in theatrical
having the general quality or effect of a stage performance
he gave his usual melodramatic speech that he had learned his lesson and thereafter would always pay his bills on time
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Recent Examples of melodramatic
Then cabinet members are given the opportunity to competitively slobber over the president with melodramatic praise.
—
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The plots tend to be melodramatic — a female lead is swept off her feet by a dashing vampire (or CEO).
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
His fingerprints are all over the 21st-century Big Inventive Novel, with its sentient raindrops (Elif Shafak), its melodramatic families (Kiran Desai), its metamorphoses of race (Mohsin Hamid) and history (Marlon James).
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
There are elements of quite graphic violence, then there’s also quite melodramatic moments, and then there’s also quite funny moments, and then there’s obviously the games themselves.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodramatic
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
The plots tend to be melodramatic — a female lead is swept off her feet by a dashing vampire (or CEO).
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
His fingerprints are all over the 21st-century Big Inventive Novel, with its sentient raindrops (Elif Shafak), its melodramatic families (Kiran Desai), its metamorphoses of race (Mohsin Hamid) and history (Marlon James).
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
There are elements of quite graphic violence, then there’s also quite melodramatic moments, and then there’s also quite funny moments, and then there’s obviously the games themselves.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodramatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melodramatic
Adjective
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Accessible by ferry but deliberately low-key, the island is defined by dramatic cliffs, a compact hilltop village and a strong sense of local culture.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Atlanta Police Chief Darren Schierbaum said Tuesday at a news conference that his city has seen a dramatic decrease in shootings since 2022.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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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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
“Melodramatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melodramatic. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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