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

Tapia de Veer said that working with Mike White was like catering to the whims of histrionic drag performer Albin in La Cage Aux Folles (the Nathan Lane part in The Birdcage, for Americans). —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025

Tang Ren’s histrionic, oftentimes scatological behavior is offset by Qin Feng’s almost superhuman intuition, and director Chen Sicheng has repeatedly doffed his cap to the BBC’s hugely successful series Sherlock, not least in the vivid visualisations of Holmes’ deductive reasoning. —James Marsh, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025

As a piece of political rhetoric, the word has become numbingly histrionic. —Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025

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