Synonyms

melodramatic

American

[mel-uh-druh-mat-ik] / ˌmɛl ə drəˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

of, like, or befitting melodrama.
exaggerated and emotional or sentimental; sensational or sensationalized; overdramatic.

noun

melodramatics, melodramatic writing or behavior.

Other Word Forms

melodramatically adverb
nonmelodramatic adjective
nonmelodramatically adverb
unmelodramatic adjective
unmelodramatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of melodramatic

First recorded in 1810–20; melodrama + (drama)tic

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.

It’s a lofty goal, but it might not be very relevant, just like the absurd details of Kennedy’s melodramatic history.

From Salon

Mr. Desplechin takes a quick-cutting, kaleidoscopic approach to this domestic epic, and evokes in richly melodramatic style the feeling of passing the holidays with extended family.

From The Wall Street Journal

Visually, it is melodramatic, almost campy, resembling a TV promotion.

From Salon

So, is the singer this melodramatic in her real life relationships?

From BBC

He’s double-cast Luna and Tonatiuh as the film-within-a-film’s leads and changed the imaginary tale from a Nazi propaganda flick to a melodramatic but moving South American romance between a glamour queen and a noble photographer.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023