melodramaticsn.
/ˌmɛlədrəˈmatɪks/, U.S. /ˌmɛlədrəˈmædɪks/ Originally U.S.
With plural agreement. Melodramatic behaviour, action, or writing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > affected behaviour or affectation > [noun] > theatrical or exaggerated behaviour
histrionicism1665
histrionisma1682
theatricalness1727
theatricality1837
play-actorism1851
theatricalism1854
performance1864
melodramatics1865
theatricism1872
camping1922
histrionics1922
theatric1929
amateur dramatics1984
1865 J. S. Le Fanu Guy Deverell III. viii. 67 It would be right to let her know, in order to prevent her from being alarmed at the temper and melodramatics of her husband.
1881 Catholic World Apr. 26 Pedro was seriously alarmed for his friend, and hinted to him pretty plainly that it was no time for melodramatics.
1915 Nation (N.Y.) 11 Feb. 161/2 We do not know when we have witnessed so disgusting a misuse of Federal authority, heightened as it was by the melodramatics with which Dr. Allen took the stand on his own behalf.
1959 Times 19 Oct. 6/7 Then it [sc. a film] falls back defeated, although the melodramatics are exciting enough.
1963 Guardian 18 Sept. 20/4 No melodramatics had followed Mr. Macmillan's receipt of the Denning report.
1992 Washington City Paper 24 Jan. 27/5 As actors they're less effective, stalking about with the stiff melodramatics, chest-puffing, and generalized mugging that used to pass for Italian Opera performance.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1865