Meaning & use
overdramatize
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Meanings
verbtransitivedisapproving
To make something seem more dramatic, serious, or exciting than it really is.
Grammar: Takes an object: overdramatize the problem. It can also be used without an object when the meaning is clear.
Patterns
- overdramatize something
- overdramatize the situation
- overdramatize a story
He tends to overdramatize every small setback.
The media overdramatized the incident to attract viewers.
verbintransitivedisapproving
To act in a way that shows too much emotion or exaggeration.
Grammar: No object; often used to describe someone's behavior.
Patterns
- overdramatize about something
- stop overdramatizing
She overdramatizes whenever she doesn't get her way.
There's no need to overdramatize; it's only a minor mistake.
Word forms
| third person singular | overdramatizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | overdramatized |
| past participle | overdramatized |
| -ing form | overdramatizing |
Common combinations
- overdramatize the situation
- Don't overdramatize the situation; we can fix it.
- overdramatize a story
- The reporter overdramatized the story to sell more papers.
- tend to overdramatize
- Some people tend to overdramatize minor problems.
Synonyms and how they differ
- exaggerate
- Exaggerate means to make something seem larger or better than it is; overdramatize focuses on making it seem more dramatic or emotional.
- overstate
- Overstate is more formal and means to express something too strongly; overdramatize adds a sense of theatrical emotion.
Opposites
Word family
- dramatize verb
- To present something as a drama or in an exaggerated way.
- dramatic adjective
- Sudden, striking, or full of emotion.
- dramatically adverb
- In a dramatic way.
Commonly confused: overdramatize or dramatize?
overdramatize vs dramatize
Dramatize can simply mean to turn a story into a play or to make it exciting; overdramatize always means going too far.
Practice
Stop ______! It's just a small scratch, not a serious injury.
Choose one answer.
After 'stop' we use the -ing form, so 'overdramatizing' is correct. The other forms do not fit the grammar after 'stop'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overdramatize”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.