dramatize

verb

dra·​ma·​tize ˈdra-mə-ˌtīz  ˈdrä- 

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

ˈdra-mə-ˌtī-zə-bəl 

ˈdrä-

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

Netflix’s new film Inspector Zende dramatizes the relentless pursuit of Charles Sobhraj by Madhukar Zende, one of India’s most renowned police officers. —Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

The Voice of Hind Rajab dramatizes the final hours of a young girl trapped under fire in Gaza. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book, the new series of Rogue Heroes comes at a critical stage of World War Two, continuing to dramatize the story of the world’s greatest Special Forces unit. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025

That agreement also stipulated that Chandler’s story and personhood could not be dramatized in a film about Jackson. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

dramat-, stem in derivation of drama + -ize

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for dramatize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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