dramatize

[ dram-uh-tahyz, drah-muh- ]

verb (used with object)

, dram·a·tized, dram·a·tiz·ing.

1. to put into a form suitable for acting on a stage.
2. to express or represent vividly, emotionally, or strikingly:

   He dramatizes his woes with sobs and sighs.

verb (used without object)

, dram·a·tized, dram·a·tiz·ing.

1. to express oneself in a dramatic or exaggerated way.

dramatize

/ ˈdræməˌtaɪz /

verb

1. tr to put into dramatic form
2. to express or represent (something) in a dramatic or exaggerated way

   he dramatizes his illness

Derived Forms

• ˈdramaˌtizable, adjective
• ˈdramaˌtizer, noun

Other Words From

• drama·tiza·ble adjective
• drama·tizer noun
• over·drama·tize verb overdramatized overdramatizing
• un·drama·tiza·ble adjective
• un·drama·tized adjective
• well-drama·tized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dramatize¹

1770–80; < Greek drāmat- ( dramatic ) + -ize

Example Sentences

For decades, Hollywood deemed it too volatile to dramatize.

From Los Angeles Times

“October 7” is in the tradition of the “verbatim play,” a form of documentary theater that uses interviews, court testimony and public remarks to dramatize real events.

From Los Angeles Times

But there have been many times where I’m like, “What I would give for a fantasy element to dramatize something!” or, “If only a narrator could come in and say, ‘What you didn’t know is that right now she’s thinking this...’

From Los Angeles Times

In matters of using hip-hop to dramatize human hurt, there’s no question ShyBelligerent is as great as he says he is.

From Los Angeles Times

Macmillan said in an email that climate change was “hard to dramatize,” not least because playwrights had to decide whether to include the science underpinning the issue.

From New York Times

Related Words

• amplify
• exaggerate
• overstate