melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈme-lə-ˌdrä-mə 
-ˌdra-
1
a
: a work (such as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization
an actor with a flair for melodrama
b
: the genre (see genre sense 1) of dramatic literature constituted by such works
2
: something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality
The trial turned into a melodrama.
Examples of melodrama in a Sentence
Critics dismissed his work as melodrama.
an actor with a talent for melodrama
She is starring in another melodrama.
The trial turned into a melodrama.
a life full of melodrama
Recent Examples on the Web
But fans can still expect big fights, big powers and mutant melodrama.
—
Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
The pacing slackens somewhat around the two-thirds point, then rallies for separate climaxes sentimental (when Greg finally visits his father’s deathbed) and rousing (as the Grand Canyon is reached), both handled with moving restraint rather than heavy-handed melodrama or inspirational uplift.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
Three scheming siblings jockey for money and power in The Little Foxes, a stirring melodrama starring Bette Davis as the villainous Regina.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Across the 10 episodes of Apple TV+'s Palm Royale, though, her performance grows only to a point, then stops, even as the series’ farcical melodrama spins ever more wildly.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
The swirl of cartoon physics and comic melodrama is fantastical and otherworldly, as if survivalists in the wild had access to home-movie equipment to chart their increasing delirium.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
What the series share is a tone that splits the difference between prestige costume drama, high melodrama, and fairy tale (the Elizabeths come from a family that practices magic).
—Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The twisted part is that, all things considered, and teenage melodrama aside, this should have been a perfect getaway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
Barbara Rush, the classy yet largely unheralded leading lady who sparkled in the 1950s melodramas Magnificent Obsession, Bigger Than Life and The Young Philadelphians, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Mar. 2024
Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024
The pacing slackens somewhat around the two-thirds point, then rallies for separate climaxes sentimental (when Greg finally visits his father’s deathbed) and rousing (as the Grand Canyon is reached), both handled with moving restraint rather than heavy-handed melodrama or inspirational uplift.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
Three scheming siblings jockey for money and power in The Little Foxes, a stirring melodrama starring Bette Davis as the villainous Regina.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
Across the 10 episodes of Apple TV+'s Palm Royale, though, her performance grows only to a point, then stops, even as the series’ farcical melodrama spins ever more wildly.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024
The swirl of cartoon physics and comic melodrama is fantastical and otherworldly, as if survivalists in the wild had access to home-movie equipment to chart their increasing delirium.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024
What the series share is a tone that splits the difference between prestige costume drama, high melodrama, and fairy tale (the Elizabeths come from a family that practices magic).
—Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The twisted part is that, all things considered, and teenage melodrama aside, this should have been a perfect getaway.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024
Barbara Rush, the classy yet largely unheralded leading lady who sparkled in the 1950s melodramas Magnificent Obsession, Bigger Than Life and The Young Philadelphians, has died.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'melodrama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near melodrama
Cite this Entry
“Melodrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melodrama. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈmel-ə-ˌdräm-ə
-ˌdram-
1
a
: a work (as a movie or play) marked by the exaggerated emotions of the characters and the importance of action and plot
b
: such works as a group
2
: melodramatic events or behavior
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share