dramatize

especially British, dram·a·tise

[dram-uh-tahyz, drah-muh-]

verb (used with object)

dramatized, dramatizing 

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.

verb (used without object)

dramatized, dramatizing 

1. to express oneself in a dramatic or exaggerated way.

dramatize

/ ˈdræməˌtaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to put into dramatic form

2. to express or represent (something) in a dramatic or exaggerated way

   he dramatizes his illness

Other Word Forms

• dramatizable adjective
• dramatizer noun
• overdramatize verb
• undramatizable adjective
• undramatized adjective
• well-dramatized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dramatize¹

1770–80; < Greek drāmat- ( dramatic ) + -ize

Example Sentences

An ordinary illustrator might have dramatized the scene at ground level; St. John literally elevates his image by having the conflict transpire in midair.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A weekend protest march convened to highlight the concerns of Mexico’s Generation Z has instead dramatized deep political divisions extending well beyond the needs of young Mexicans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After his exchange for Rudolf Abel—dramatized in Steven Spielberg’s 2015 film Bridge of Spies—Francis Gary Powers was taken directly to a CIA safe house in rural Maryland and grilled for days on end.

Read more on Literature

Scenes like this are tricky enough to pull off tastefully in dramatized films, but here, the sequence feels impossibly grievous.

Read more on Salon

While that was happening, according to the series dramatized version of events, Maggie finds out that Alex has been lying to her about his ongoing prescription drug habit.

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Related Words

• amplify 
• exaggerate 
• overstate