Meaning & use
melodramatic sigh
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Meaning
nouncountabledisapproving
An exaggerated, theatrical sigh that shows feelings in an overdone way.
Grammar: Countable: 'a melodramatic sigh', 'melodramatic sighs'.
Patterns
- let out a melodramatic sigh
- with a melodramatic sigh
- give a melodramatic sigh
She let out a melodramatic sigh and announced that nobody understood her.
He answered with a melodramatic sigh, as if the whole world were against him.
Every time I asked about homework, I got a melodramatic sigh.
Word forms
| plural | melodramatic sighs |
|---|
Common combinations
- let out a melodramatic sigh
- She let out a melodramatic sigh and flopped onto the sofa.
- with a melodramatic sigh
- With a melodramatic sigh, he agreed to help.
- a deeply melodramatic sigh
- He gave a deeply melodramatic sigh before answering the phone.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dramatic sigh
- Similar, but 'dramatic' can be neutral or approving, while 'melodramatic' always suggests the reaction is overdone.
- theatrical sigh
- Theatrical stresses that the sigh is performed for effect, much like melodramatic but without the idea of false emotion.
Word family
- melodrama noun
- a story or situation with exaggerated emotions.
- melodramatic adjective
- showing feelings in an exaggerated way.
- sigh noun
- a long, slow breath out that shows tiredness or emotion.
Commonly confused: melodramatic sigh or sigh of relief?
melodramatic sigh vs sigh of relief
A sigh of relief shows genuine release of tension; a melodramatic sigh is exaggerated and often insincere.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'melodramatic sigh' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
A melodramatic sigh is an exaggerated human sigh, so option A fits. Option C uses the adjective where an adverb is needed, and the other options use the phrase for machines or weather, which is not natural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “melodramatic sigh”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.