dramatize

verb

dra·​ma·​tize ˈdra-mə-ˌtīz How to pronounce dramatize (audio) ˈdrä- How to pronounce dramatize (audio)
dramatized; dramatizing

transitive verb

1
: to adapt (something, such as a novel) for theatrical presentation
2
: to present or represent in a dramatic manner

intransitive verb

1
: to be suitable for dramatization
2
: to behave dramatically
dramatizable adjective

Examples of dramatize in a Sentence

The movie dramatizes her early life. The book is dramatized in a new play. I know I tend to dramatize things but it really was awful. She cited a series of statistics to dramatize the seriousness of the problem. This tragedy dramatizes the need for improvements in highway safety.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In our age of self-kneecapping carefulness, Wohl both takes risks and dramatizes the moral dilemma of taking them. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025 Few Indian movies have so gently zeroed in on the way mental health conditions are used as a pretext to strip people of their humanity, even though the camera rarely probes Sundar enough to rebuild his personhood from the inside-out, or dramatize whatever haunts his waking moments. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025 The nostalgia tour extends beyond the show: On October 11, Saturday Night, a movie that dramatizes the story of SNL’s 1975 debut, will premiere in theaters. Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 13 Feb. 2025 A number of Grenfell docs have aired down the years including a Ben Anthony feature for the BBC, a Steve McQueen art movie and a series for Channel 4 that dramatized the words spoken at the inquiry, all of which were titled Grenfell. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dramatize

Word History

Etymology

dramat-, stem in derivation of drama + -ize

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dramatize was in 1783

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Cite this Entry

“Dramatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dramatize. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

dramatize

verb
dram·​a·​tize
ˈdram-ə-ˌtīz,
ˈdräm-
1
: to make into a drama
2
: to present or represent in a dramatic manner
dramatization
ˌdram-ət-ə-ˈzā-shən
ˌdräm-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dramatize

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