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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of histrionic Waltz also indulged in several of the histrionic television appearances that Trump demands of his subordinates. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025 As a piece of political rhetoric, the word has become numbingly histrionic. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 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 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 See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for histrionic
Adjective
  • China’s theatrical box office has staged a strong recovery this year from a severe downturn in 2024, when total ticket revenue declined 23 percent.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This includes revenues across television, online video, VOD and theatrical sectors and represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8% from 2025.
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • McIlroy got the job done in a dramatic playoff over Justin Rose after a topsy-turvy final round that featured plenty of ups and downs.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • But don't focus directly on the radiant — some of the most dramatic meteors often appear farther away, streaking across the surrounding sky.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Queen may have started as a four-piece rock band but their ambitions and grandiose stage shows led to lavish studio productions that took them in orchestral and operatic directions.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Given the full operatic treatment of a 1970s Elton album, this might feel very different. 308.
    Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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