dramatic

adjective

dra·mat·ic | \ drə-ˈma-tik

Definition of dramatic

1 literature : of or relating to the drama a dramatic actor

2a : suitable to or characteristic of the drama a dramatic story a dramatic attempt to escape a dramatic comeback

b : striking in appearance or effect a dramatic pause

3 of an opera singer : having a powerful voice and a declamatory style — compare lyric

Other Words from dramatic Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about dramatic

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Synonyms & Antonyms for dramatic

Synonyms

histrionic, melodramatic, operatic, stagy (or stagey), theatrical (also theatric)

Antonyms

undramatic

Choose the Right Synonym for dramatic

dramatic, theatrical, histrionic, melodramatic mean having a character or an effect like that of acted plays. dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply. a dramatic meeting of world leaders theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression. a theatrical oration histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess. a histrionic show of grief melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism. made a melodramatic plea

Examples of dramatic in a Sentence

His parents noticed a dramatic change in his behavior. There was a dramatic increase in prices. The book tells the dramatic story of her battle with cancer. She made a dramatic entrance wearing a bright red dress. There was a dramatic pause before his big announcement. The painter used dramatic colors. They are members of the local dramatic society.

Recent Examples on the Web

That law, which has led to a dramatic increase in the use of LED bulbs, includes a second requirement that the Energy Department decide whether to develop stricter lightbulb standards for 2020. — Los Angeles Times, "Trump rolls back energy requirements for billions of lightbulbs," 5 Sep. 2019 The 80 topics that will be addressed do not include the health effects of consumption of red and processed meat. the dramatic increase in ultraprocessed foods and sodium levels. — Laura Reiley, Washington Post, "How the Trump administration limited the scope of the USDA’s 2020 dietary guidelines," 30 Aug. 2019 Over the past decade, six countries — Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and India — have all seen dramatic increases in coal consumption. — Robert Bryce, National Review, "Why Climate Action Flopped at the G-7," 26 Aug. 2019 The most dramatic increases in doubling-up have been among single-parent households with young children and those over age 65. — Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Number of households who double-up still moving up in Colorado," 22 Aug. 2019 The dramatic increase in jailing over less punitive approaches does not reflect a corresponding rise in violent crime. — Justin Rohrlich, Quartz, "You’re 30% more likely to go to jail if you get arrested than your parents were," 14 Aug. 2019 The figure represents a dramatic increase from earlier in the year. — Elliot Spagat, Fortune, "40,000 Migrants Are Now Waiting at the U.S. Border," 8 Aug. 2019 The Federal Trade Commission has seen a dramatic increase in reports from consumers that fraudsters are calling to say their Social Security numbers are connected to a crime and their bank accounts will be frozen or seized. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Social Security sent out some wrong estimates. What you need to know," 7 Aug. 2019 Many wealthy Americans -- already reaping most of the benefits of the last decade’s economic growth -- have weathered the dramatic increase in deductibles in recent years in part by putting away money in tax-free Health Savings Accounts. — oregonlive.com, "High deductibles add to squeeze on middle class America," 4 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dramatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for dramatic

dramatic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of dramatic

: sudden and extreme

: greatly affecting people's emotions

: attracting attention : causing people to carefully listen, look, etc.

See the full definition for dramatic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dramatic

adjective

dra·mat·ic | \ drə-ˈma-tik

Kids Definition of dramatic

1 : having to do with drama a dramatic actor

2 : attracting attention He made a dramatic entrance.

3 : sudden and extreme a dramatic change

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dramatic

Definition of dramatic

Other Words from dramatic

Synonyms & Antonyms for dramatic

Choose the Right Synonym for dramatic

Examples of dramatic in a Sentence

First Known Use of dramatic

History and Etymology for dramatic

English Language Learners Definition of dramatic

Kids Definition of dramatic

dramatic

Definition of dramatic

Other Words from dramatic

Synonyms & Antonyms for dramatic

Choose the Right Synonym for dramatic

Examples of dramatic in a Sentence

First Known Use of dramatic

History and Etymology for dramatic

English Language Learners Definition of dramatic

Kids Definition of dramatic

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