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Synonyms

dramatic

American  
[druh-mat-ik] / drəˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the drama.

    Synonyms:
    theatrical
  2. employing the form or manner of the drama.

  3. characteristic of or appropriate to the drama, especially in involving conflict or contrast; vivid; moving.

    dramatic colors;

    a dramatic speech.

  4. highly effective; striking.

    The silence following his impassioned speech was dramatic.

    Synonyms:
    sensational, startling

dramatic British  
/ drəˈmætɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to drama

  2. like a drama in suddenness, emotional impact, etc

  3. striking; effective

  4. acting or performed in a flamboyant way

  5. music (of a voice) powerful and marked by histrionic quality

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • dramatically adverb
  • nondramatic adjective
  • overdramatic adjective
  • predramatic adjective
  • pseudodramatic adjective
  • quasi-dramatic adjective
  • semidramatic adjective
  • undramatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of dramatic

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin drāmaticus, from Greek drāmatikós, equivalent to drāmat- (stem of drâma ) drama + -ikos -ic

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.

Residents in the San Gabriel Valley are contending with a dramatic surge in black flies, a painful little pest known for biting around the eyes and necks of people and pets.

From Los Angeles Times

Ben White: A dramatic return for the Arsenal defender on his first appearance for England since leaving the World Cup in 2022.

From BBC

“At the busiest airport in the world, that would have a dramatic impact on the entire aviation system.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Dubai’s sprawling gold market is deserted, in part because buyers from abroad no longer come, and in part because of dramatic fluctuations in gold prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

This dramatic increase had not been seen in previous years and was not predicted by existing climate models.

From Science Daily