histrionic

adjective

his·​tri·​on·​ic ˌhi-strē-ˈä-nik 

1

: deliberately affected : overly dramatic or emotional : theatrical

histrionic gestures

a tendency to become histrionic

2

: of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater

seeking histrionic perfection

histrionically

ˌhi-strē-ˈä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The term histrionic developed from histrio, Latin for "actor." Something that is histrionic tends to remind one of the high drama of stage and screen and is often stagy and over-the-top. It especially calls to mind the theatrical form known as the melodrama, where plot and physical action, not characterization, are emphasized. But something that is histrionic isn't always overdone; the word can also simply refer to an actor or describe something related to the theater. In that sense, it becomes a synonym of thespian.

Synonyms

• dramatic
• hammy
• melodramatic
• stagy
• stagey
• theatrical
• theatric

Choose the Right Synonym for histrionic

dramatic, theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like that of acted plays.

dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.

a dramatic meeting of world leaders

theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.

a theatrical oration

histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.

a histrionic show of grief

melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.

made a melodramatic plea

Examples of histrionic in a Sentence

a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper

we never tired of his histrionic reenactment of how he found money under the floorboards of a house he was renovating

Recent Examples on the Web

Beginning at the very apex of his falsetto, Hawkins tears through his ode to a life-changing love with an impassioned vocal performance that peppers his slight drawl with histrionic growls, effortlessly matching the rousing energy of the track’s instrumentation. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Based on Muriel Spark’s indelible novel, the film was a perfect vehicle for Smith’s histrionic charm and seductive wizardry. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024

The movie works only because Kidman can play in such different registers: the muted, wide-eyed bride and her thrilling, histrionic other. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2024

These voters are more likely to respond to straight talk about the issues than histrionic talk about the death of American democracy, even if the fear is real. —Dave Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin histrionicus, from Latin histrion-, histrio actor

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

histrionic

adjective

his·​tri·​on·​ic ˌhis-trē-ˈän-ik 

1

: too emotional or dramatic

2

: of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater

histrionically

-ˈän-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb