dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.
a dramatic meeting of world leaders
theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.
a theatrical oration
histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.
a histrionic show of grief
melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.
made a melodramatic plea
Example Sentences
Oh, quit being so melodramatic!
Recent Examples on the WebTaking it back to the days of summer jobs at country clubs, dancing on table tops and melodramatic teen angst — the resident theater of Hinsdale’s Community House is bringing to its stage July 29, High School Musical 2: On Stage. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2022 The best of the interludes was before the Finale, with Gaga at her most melodramatic. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2022 And, sure, the film, though choking on melodramatic goo at times, is a nostalgic and fun re-watch. Deanna Janes, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Aug. 2022 More recent examples are melodramatic or comedic, setting the stage for the cartoonish nature of the meme. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2022 Without the burden of respectability, of shouldering stories for an entire community, the show is free to be light, frothy, melodramatic, and unafraid to offend. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 29 July 2022 Heck, on the same service as The Man from Toronto sits RRR, a three-hour Indian action spectacular that at its most unapologetically over-the-top and melodramatic feels like a dare to James Wan and James Cameron. Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The house lights dimmed and a sort of political trailer played, set to melodramatic music. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 June 2022 The ending depends on a perverse kind of deus ex machina that some readers will consider too melodramatic. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 See More