CEFR C1

melodrama

noun

Meaning

A style of drama or behavior that relies on exaggerated emotions, stereotypical characters, and sensational plot twists to create strong, often superficial, emotional impact.

Examples

The play was criticized for its reliance on cheap melodrama rather than genuine character development.
She dismissed his dramatic protest as pure melodrama intended to gain sympathy.

Synonyms: theatrics, histrionics, sensationalism, exaggeration

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melodrama (C1)

noun

Pronunciation: ˈmɛləˌdrɑmə

Definition

A style of drama or behavior that relies on exaggerated emotions, stereotypical characters, and sensational plot twists to create strong, often superficial, emotional impact.

Examples

The play was criticized for its reliance on cheap melodrama rather than genuine character development.
She dismissed his dramatic protest as pure melodrama intended to gain sympathy.
Victorian theater was famous for its high-stakes melodrama and clear-cut heroes and villains.

How to Use melodrama

full of melodrama (collocation): containing a high degree of exaggerated emotion. — "The entire evening was full of unnecessary melodrama."
accuse someone of melodrama (collocation): to claim someone is being overly dramatic. — "He accused her of melodrama when she started crying over the broken plate."

Synonyms of melodrama

Words with a similar meaning to melodrama:

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