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 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 Where so much of onscreen storytelling at the time was steeped in histrionic levels of sincerity and reverence for American institutions, Hill’s film had no interest in promoting the status quo or hiding whatever rottenness is present in this country’s criminal-justice system. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024 This is histrionic and fun and has a nice ending with Michael Longfellow. EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for histrionic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for histrionic
Adjective
  • Previously, Knives Out movies have done the festival rounds ahead of their theatrical/Netflix stint.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • Mubi is set to expand its theatrical operations in Italy as Efe Cakarel, CEO of the global streamer, producer and film distributor, recently anticipated in an interview for a Variety cover story.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • The failure to address these issues, the lawsuit claimed, led to a loss of investor confidence and ultimately triggered the dramatic drop in the company's stock price on April 17.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • The dark-reddish countertops are visually dramatic and incredibly durable.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The operatic element of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns was my favorite thing about it — the music and sets and the whole thing.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 3 June 2025
  • Yours is more operatic, and my fella is more in the gangster genre.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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