dramatically
Americanadverb
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in a way that relates to plays or the theater; in or as a play.
The author's choice of words may imply that his text is to be read aloud or acted out dramatically.
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in a way characteristic of or appropriate to the theater, especially in involving conflict, intense emotion, or exaggerated speech or action.
The speaker was quite a showman, first crouching behind the lectern, then rising up dramatically to demonstrate the rapid progress of some nations.
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in a way that is typical of a play in form or structure.
The film is dramatically structured—not in its narrative form, but in the way it focuses on the faces, bodies, and voices of specific performers.
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in a striking way; with a striking effect or to a striking degree.
During Hurricane Sandy, mobile internet usage spiked dramatically as people went online to get answers.
Her dark hat and scarf dramatically set off her pale and delicate features.
Usage
What does dramatically mean? Dramatically means done in a striking or theatrical way, as if acting. When used literally, dramatically is used when someone does something for the sake of a performance, as in a play. Drama describes the art of writing or producing a play, and something that is done dramatically is done in an effort to further that play. More often, the term dramatically is used figuratively to describe someone being overly flamboyant or petty. Someone who is acting dramatically may display their emotions for the sake of seeking attention or may respond in an argument with undue levels of anger or harshness. Example: The kids always act dramatically when I say we can’t have pizza for dinner.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dramatically
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Just as nations dramatically rethought energy policy after the oil crises of the 1970s, a disruption of this scale will force governments around the world to rethink energy strategy.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026
If you already thought the stock market’s booming reactions to this geopolitically chaotic economic moment were irrational—well, it’s about to get much more surreal, because the rules governing the trade are about to change dramatically.
From Slate • May 15, 2026
The work could lead to a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach for discovering serotonin-targeting drugs that provide some of the therapeutic effects linked to psychedelics without dramatically altering perception.
From Science Daily • May 14, 2026
Pop star Delta Goodrem has dramatically increased Australia's odds of winning the Eurovision Song Contest, after a stunning performance of her power ballad, Eclipse, at Thursday's semi-final.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
The pain in the back of his head pounded away, threatening to magnify dramatically if he so much as cracked his eyelids.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
