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
  • And there’s all kinds of theatrical fun at Bourbon Steak in Las Vegas.
    Andy Wang, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Off the heels of Dior Men’s era of Kim Jones, who offered elegant twists on menswear in theatrical runway shows, Anderson ushered in a playful, everyday sense of luxury, delving into the house’s heritage by reintroducing classic silhouettes morphed in new ways.
    Alice Pfeiffer, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Brewers' dramatic extra-innings win Wednesday sealed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
  • Not for nothing either does Succession borrow a dramatic template—Shakespeare’s King Lear—that comes with immediate psychological stakes.
    Brittany Allen July 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Call Her Daddy host performed the classic track during the seventh-inning stretch of the game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sunday night, offering an operatic take alongside two backup performers that elicited boos from the packed stadium.
    EW.com, EW.com, 7 July 2025
  • The chorus is essentially one word (peaches) repeated incessantly with operatic bombast.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Histrionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/histrionic. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on histrionic

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