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Synonyms

dramatics

American  
[druh-mat-iks] / drəˈmæt ɪks /

noun

  1. (used with a singular or plural verb) the art of producing or acting dramas.

  2. (used with a plural verb) dramatic productions, especially by amateurs.

  3. (used with a plural verb) dramatic, overly emotional, or insincere behavior.

    His friends are tired of all his phony dramatics.


dramatics British  
/ drəˈmætɪks /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular or plural)

    1. the art of acting or producing plays

    2. dramatic productions

  2. (usually functioning as plural) histrionic behaviour

"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

Etymology

Origin of dramatics

First recorded in 1675–85; see origin at dramatic, -ics

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.

See Examples For:

This isn’t just teenage dramatics: Elephant seals don’t hunt or eat as they molt, so he’s hungry and tired and will sleep wherever he damn pleases.

From Salon Jul. 7, 2026

Pat Knifton Hough, who is 101, has dedicated 57 years to amateur dramatics in Nantwich, Cheshire.

From BBC Jun. 16, 2026

That “rift” may have been mildly overcooked for TV dramatics.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 23, 2025

That all changed last October when Freddie Freeman matched Gibson’s dramatics with a Game 1 grand slam to beat the New York Yankees.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 28, 2025

I sat down to enjoy adult Negro dramatics.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

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