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dramatize

[dram-uh-tahyz, drah-muh-]
verb (used with object), dram·a·tized, dram·a·tiz·ing.
  1. to put into a form suitable for acting on a stage.
  2. to express or represent vividly, emotionally, or strikingly: He dramatizes his woes with sobs and sighs.
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verb (used without object), dram·a·tized, dram·a·tiz·ing.
  1. to express oneself in a dramatic or exaggerated way.
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Also especially British, dram·a·tise.

Origin of dramatize

1770–80; < Greek drāmat- (see dramatic) + -ize
Related formsdram·a·tiz·a·ble, adjectivedram·a·tiz·er, nouno·ver·dram·a·tize, verb, o·ver·dram·a·tized, o·ver·dram·a·tiz·ing.un·dram·a·tiz·a·ble, adjectiveun·dram·a·tized, adjectivewell-dram·a·tized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dramatise

Historical Examples

  • He offered to dramatise a burst of tears on Lemuel's shoulder; but Lemuel escaped from him.

    The Minister's Charge

    William Dean Howells

  • Mr. Harris endeavours as much as possible to dramatise his sermon.

    About London

    J. Ewing Ritchie

  • These bombs did but accentuate and dramatise an already developing problem.

    The World Set Free

    Herbert George Wells

  • Mr. Savile Clarke wrote on August 28th to ask his leave to dramatise the two books, and he gladly assented.

    The Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll

    Stuart Dodgson Collingwood

  • You are resolved that your course should dramatise the whole play and interplay of force and matter.

British Dictionary definitions for dramatise

dramatize

dramatise

verb
  1. (tr) to put into dramatic form
  2. to express or represent (something) in a dramatic or exaggerated wayhe dramatizes his illness
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Derived Formsdramatizable or dramatisable, adjectivedramatizer or dramatiser, noun
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

Word Origin and History for dramatise

dramatize

v.

1780s, "to adopt for the stage," see drama (Greek stem dramat-) + -ize. Meaning "to act out" is from 1823. Related: Dramatized; dramatizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper