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.

Equally, you might not have believed her for a second, and thought she was hamming up her pain because it's all gone wrong.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

When the camera rolled, she was all poise and precision, and when the director yelled cut, she was hamming it up for everyone.

From Washington Post • Jan. 28, 2021

Enter Ian Poulter, who, on the 10th tee, was hamming it up with patrons, delivering his share of laughs and garnering shouts of encouragement and applause.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 4, 2018

One of the attorneys objected that an actor was hamming it up, but Judge Grady pronounced himself delighted by the lively break from what is typically the "dullest part of a trial."

From Time Magazine Archive

She was hamming it up a bit, but that was fine, and so was her hoarse whisper.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan