dramatic
adjective
dra·mat·ic drə-ˈma-tik 
1
literature : of or relating to the drama
a dramatic actor
2
a
: suitable to or characteristic of the drama
a dramatic story
a dramatic attempt to escape
a dramatic comeback
b
: striking in appearance or effect
a dramatic pause
3
of an opera singer : having a powerful voice and a declamatory style compare lyric
dramatically
drə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- histrionic
- melodramatic
- operatic
- stagy
- stagey
- theatrical
- theatric
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His parents noticed a dramatic change in his behavior. There was a dramatic increase in prices. The book tells the dramatic story of her battle with cancer. She made a dramatic entrance wearing a bright red dress. There was a dramatic pause before his big announcement. The painter used dramatic colors. They are members of the local dramatic society. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The pullback is more dramatic among consumers with less discretionary income. 
Mae Anderson, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 Kendall's second look for the brand was equally dramatic -- perfect for the once-in-a-lifetime setting of the show. Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 Hader gave an incredible performance that was almost entirely dramatic. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2022 Yes, the student-debt problem stems from the dramatic rise in college costs in recent decades. Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 And an argument can be made that without the threat of Poole on the perimeter and his dramatic rise in production, Golden State would not have won a championship last season. C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 After years of declining participation, followed by a sharp drop in numbers during the early stages of the pandemic, football programs have been seeing a dramatic rise in turnout. Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 The post was an example of what researchers from Network Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University say is a dramatic rise in recent months of tweets related to self-harm. Naomi Nix, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 As for why the bids came in so high, the mayor points to a recent dramatic rise in fuel costs. John Benson, cleveland, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Mae Anderson, ajc, 11 Sep. 2022 Kendall's second look for the brand was equally dramatic -- perfect for the once-in-a-lifetime setting of the show. Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2022 Hader gave an incredible performance that was almost entirely dramatic. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2022 Yes, the student-debt problem stems from the dramatic rise in college costs in recent decades. Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 And an argument can be made that without the threat of Poole on the perimeter and his dramatic rise in production, Golden State would not have won a championship last season. C.j. Holmes, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 After years of declining participation, followed by a sharp drop in numbers during the early stages of the pandemic, football programs have been seeing a dramatic rise in turnout. Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 The post was an example of what researchers from Network Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University say is a dramatic rise in recent months of tweets related to self-harm. Naomi Nix, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 As for why the bids came in so high, the mayor points to a recent dramatic rise in fuel costs. John Benson, cleveland, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see drama
First Known Use
1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing dramatic
Kids Definition
dramatic
adjective
dra·mat·ic drə-ˈma-tik
1
: having to do with drama
a dramatic actor
2
: attracting attention
He made a dramatic entrance.
3
: sudden and extreme
a dramatic change
dramatic
adjective
1
as in theatrical
having the general quality or effect of a stage performance the basketball player's dramatic announcement of his sudden retirement held everybody spellbound Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- theatrical
- theatric
- operatic
- emotional
- melodramatic
- surprising
- spectacular
- exciting
- histrionic
- wonderful
- sensational
- stagey
- stagy
- astonishing
- marvelous
- amazing
- marvellous
- dramaturgic
- wondrous
- awesome
- astounding
- affected
- overdramatic
- hammy
- dramaturgical
- emotionalistic
- actorly
- ham
- fabulous
- eye-opening
- actorish
- actressy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undramatic
- uneventful
- monotonous
- unexciting
- unspectacular
- unsensational
- ordinary
- uninspiring
- unrewarding
- common
- matter-of-fact
- commonplace
- unnewsworthy
- unexceptional
- stale
2
as in theatric
given to or marked by attention-getting behavior suggestive of stage acting oh, don't be so dramatic, and just tell us, without the pregnant pauses, what happened Synonyms & Similar Words
- theatrical
- theatric
- melodramatic
- exaggerated
- conspicuous
- staged
- histrionic
- stagey
- unnatural
- hammy
- sensational
- stagy
- showy
- grandiose
- flamboyant
- elaborate
- overdone
- overacted
- ostentatious
- actorly
- actorish
- mannered
- studied
- actressy
- pretentious
- affected
- artificial
- self-conscious
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undramatic
- subdued
- unpretentious
- unaffected
- muted
- nondramatic
- restrained
- modest
- inconspicuous
- simple
- conservative
- quiet
- nontheatrical
- underplayed
- discreet
- toned (down)
- plain
3
as in noticeable
likely to attract attention a dramatic drop in the temperature overnight Synonyms & Similar Words
- noticeable
- prominent
- remarkable
- commanding
- impressive
- striking
- marked
- brilliant
- conspicuous
- emphatic
- interesting
- showy
- pronounced
- bold
- flamboyant
- outstanding
- arresting
- splashy
- eye-catching
- visible
- noisy
- loud
- notable
- catchy
- noteworthy
- spectacular
- distinguished
- highlighted
- salient
- discernible
- glaring
- recognizable
- perceptible
- bodacious
- extravagant
- fascinating
- observable
- detectable
- ornate
- kenspeckle
- grabby
- fancy
- eminent
- riveting
- tawdry
- discernable
- gaudy
- flagrant
- glitzy
- flashy
- screaming
- enthralling
- garish
- engrossing
- jazzy
- absorbing
- ostentatious
- opulent
- meretricious
- overwrought
- spotlighted
- howling
- florid
- overdone
- pretentious
- swank
- glittery
- swanky
- highfalutin
- hifalutin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subtle
- inconspicuous
- unremarkable
- unobtrusive
- unemphatic
- hidden
- obscure
- faint
- insignificant
- unshowy
- unflamboyant
- unnoticeable
- modest
- unimportant
- subtle
- dim
- concealed
- simple
- shrouded
- understated
- undistinguished
- unaffected
- unassuming
- quiet
- unpretentious
- conservative
- plain
- subdued
- muted
- restrained
- unflashy
- toned-down
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of dramatic are histrionic, melodramatic, and theatrical. While all these words mean "having a character or an effect like that of acted plays," dramatic applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply.
a dramatic meeting of world leaders
Although the words histrionic and dramatic have much in common, histrionic applies to tones, gestures, and motions and suggests a deliberate affectation or staginess.
a histrionic show of grief
While in some cases nearly identical to dramatic, melodramatic suggests an exaggerated emotionalism or an inappropriate theatricalism.
made a melodramatic plea
While the synonyms theatrical and dramatic are close in meaning, theatrical implies a crude appeal through artificiality or exaggeration in gesture or vocal expression.
a theatrical oration