melodramatic

American  

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

adjective

1. of, like, or befitting melodrama.

2. exaggerated and emotional or sentimental; sensational or sensationalized; overdramatic.

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noun

1. 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

Ms. Schilinski roams in and out of all the impressions and recollections, most of them stained by sadness and regret, without turning maudlin or melodramatic.

From The Wall Street Journal

The statement, posted on Facebook, drew a range of sentiment, from support for the department to jokes about what they considered the deputy’s melodramatic response.

From Los Angeles Times

Occasionally undone by melodramatic tendencies, “All That’s Left of You” catalogs the emotional toll that occupation visits on the oppressed.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s nothing sort of overly melodramatic or cathartic about it.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Related Words

• theatrical