Synonyms of histrionic

histrionic

adjective

ˌhi-strē-ˈä-nik 

1

as in theatrical

given to or marked by attention-getting behavior suggestive of stage acting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theatrical
• theatric
• dramatic
• melodramatic
• stagey
• conspicuous
• exaggerated
• staged
• hammy
• unnatural
• stagy
• sensational
• showy
• actorly
• grandiose
• flamboyant
• ostentatious
• mannered
• elaborate
• overacted
• pretentious
• actressy
• actorish
• overdone
• artificial
• self-conscious
• affected
• studied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unaffected
• unpretentious
• undramatic
• conservative
• restrained
• subdued
• toned (down)
• nondramatic
• muted
• modest
• inconspicuous
• underplayed
• plain
• discreet
• nontheatrical
• simple
• quiet

2

as in theatric

having the general quality or effect of a stage performance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theatric
• theatrical
• dramatic
• operatic
• emotional
• melodramatic
• stagey
• stagy
• marvellous
• surprising
• wonderful
• sensational
• exciting
• spectacular
• dramaturgical
• astonishing
• marvelous
• amazing
• wondrous
• dramaturgic
• actorly
• awesome
• hammy
• affected
• ham
• emotionalistic
• overdramatic
• astounding
• actressy
• actorish
• fabulous
• eye-opening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undramatic
• matter-of-fact
• monotonous
• unexciting
• uneventful
• ordinary
• unrewarding
• unspectacular
• common
• uninspiring
• commonplace
• unexceptional
• stale
• unsensational
• unnewsworthy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word histrionic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of histrionic are dramatic, melodramatic, and theatrical. While all these words mean "having a character or an effect like that of acted plays," histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.

a histrionic show of grief

When could dramatic be used to replace histrionic?

The synonyms dramatic and histrionic are sometimes interchangeable, but dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.

a dramatic meeting of world leaders

Where would melodramatic be a reasonable alternative to histrionic?

In some situations, the words melodramatic and histrionic are roughly equivalent. However, melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.

made a melodramatic plea

When is it sensible to use theatrical instead of histrionic?

The meanings of theatrical and histrionic largely overlap; however, theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.

a theatrical oration

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of histrionic

Even though there's no question that anthropogenic climate change has played a major role in the current run-up of the global mean sea level, some of the most histrionic predictions about pending inundations have mercifully remained just that. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

This may sound like the setup for a histrionic sci-fi soap opera. —Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025

This is histrionic and fun and has a nice ending with Michael Longfellow. —EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!