histrionics

[ his-tree-on-iks ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. dramatic representation; theatricals; acting.
2. behavior or speech for effect, as insincere or exaggerated expression of an emotion; dramatics; operatics:

   Cut out the histrionics—we know you're not really mad.

Word History and Origins

Origin of histrionics¹

First recorded in 1860–65; histrionic, -ics

Example Sentences

But the histrionics in that caucus are simply a prelude to an ultimate cave.

From The Daily Beast

Their histrionics were more appropriate for a bad episode of Law & Order.

From The Daily Beast

Such a slow set-up was typical: no crash-bang corpse-on-first-page histrionics.

From The Daily Beast

We say should because only you, and your histrionics, stand in the way.

From The Daily Beast

The histrionics continued as he got out of the car, went into makeup and sat down to talk to Ted Koppel.

From The Daily Beast

He would wish to know what it was supposed to be, like Nash's histrionics.

From Project Gutenberg

Mary continued without giving much attention to these histrionics.

From Project Gutenberg

At such times she astonished him by taking his most solemn histrionics with flippant incredulity, and even burlesquing them.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw the humour of the comedy he was acting, and dispassionately approved himself, because he did not give way to histrionics.

From Project Gutenberg

Are you about to turn actor, and do you trust to her for instruction in histrionics?

From Project Gutenberg