melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈme-lə-ˌdrä-mə 
-ˌdra-
1
a
: a work (such as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization
an actor with a flair for melodrama
b
: the genre (see genre sense 1) of dramatic literature constituted by such works
2
: something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality
The trial turned into a melodrama.
Examples of melodrama in a Sentence
Critics dismissed his work as melodrama.
an actor with a talent for melodrama
She is starring in another melodrama.
The trial turned into a melodrama.
a life full of melodrama
Recent Examples on the Web
Photo: Everett Collection Most stories about identical twins fall into the genres of horror or comedy, but A Stolen Life, one of the earliest twin movies, opts for sumptuous melodrama.
—
Barry Levitt, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
But this is also Coogler’s riff on the Western, with circling buzzards and black hats; his stylish crime-flick pastiche, with sleek suits and loaded guns; and a Southern Gothic melodrama about the sins of the father and the return of prodigal sons.
—A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Soaps do this despite the limitations of melodrama.
—Rickey Fayne, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
And Britney did just that, voting out Danielle once again in a cinematic betrayal typically reserved for melodramas.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodrama
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Barry Levitt, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
But this is also Coogler’s riff on the Western, with circling buzzards and black hats; his stylish crime-flick pastiche, with sleek suits and loaded guns; and a Southern Gothic melodrama about the sins of the father and the return of prodigal sons.
—A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Soaps do this despite the limitations of melodrama.
—Rickey Fayne, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
And Britney did just that, voting out Danielle once again in a cinematic betrayal typically reserved for melodramas.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melodrama
Cite this Entry
“Melodrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melodrama. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
melodrama
noun
melo·dra·ma
ˈmel-ə-ˌdräm-ə
-ˌdram-
1
a
: a work (as a movie or play) marked by the exaggerated emotions of the characters and the importance of action and plot
b
: such works as a group
2
: melodramatic events or behavior
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