melodramatizev.
/ˌmɛlə(ʊ)ˈdramətʌɪz/, U.S. /ˌmɛləˈdrɑməˌtaɪz/ transitive. To make melodramatic. Also: to adapt (a novel, etc.) into a melodrama.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest or exhibit (emotions) [verb (transitive)] > make melodramatic
melodramatize1820
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > [verb (transitive)] > dramatize > melodrama
melodrame1827
melodramatize1900
1820 Examiner No. 613. 25/2 Elliston..melo-dramatised both Richard the Third and Macbeth.
1892 Sat. Rev. 29 Oct. 507/1 Webster melodramatizes and almost burlesques his theme by the introduction of physical terrors.
1900 Academy 21 July 54/1 His book was melo-dramatised very successfully for Mr. Benson.
1975 Daily Tel. 8 Jan. 13/6 It remains a raucous piece, melodramatising the clash between Irish Catholics and Scottish Protestants.
1986 D. Koontz Strangers i. ii. 69 In times of trouble, Jack Twist had a tendency to melodramatize his plight.
Derivatives
meloˈdramatized adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > [adjective] > given to or marked by exhibition of emotion > melodramatic
melodramatic1789
melodramatized1820
melodramatical1825
melodramic1835
breast-beating1887
thunder and lightning1892
1820 Examiner No. 613. 25/2 Booth's appearance in a melo-dramatised Richard the Third.
1963 Times 18 Feb. 14/6 Mr. Muller..should know better than to present us with this wildly melodramatized, woman-magaziny view of a star's life.
1992 Daily Tel. 15 July 35/5 One of the first Hollywood movies to tackle psychiatry, albeit in a melodramatised form.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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