psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdrä-mə 

-ˈdra-

1

: an extemporized dramatization designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for one or more of the participants from whose life history the plot is abstracted

2

: a dramatic narrative or work characterized by psychological overtones

3

: an often ongoing psychological struggle

also : an expression of psychological turmoil

psychodramatic

ˌsī-kō-drə-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of psychodrama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The psychodrama is naked — sometimes hard to read, at other moments approaching farce. —New York Times, 8 July 2024

Gaga would be seen as a key component of what Phillips wants to do with this sequel as well, in terms of integrating old-fashioned musical numbers into the psychodrama. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2024

Excess, violence, and the kind of family psychodrama that would make Sigmund Freud’s eyes pop — yes, the first full trailer for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is here. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024

Jane Campion’s masterly psychodrama is a story of repression, something Rose knows a thing or two about. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdräm-ə, -ˈdram-; ˈsī-kō-ˌdräm-ə, -ˌdram- 

: an extemporized dramatization designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for one or more of the participants from whose life history the plot is abstracted

psychodramatic

-kō-drə-ˈmat-ik 

adjective