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Definitions

melodrama

[mel-uh-drah-muh, -dram-uh] / ˈmɛl əˌdrɑ mə, -ˌdræm ə /
NOUN
bathos
Synonyms
STRONG
anticlimax comedown letdown mush schmaltz
Antonyms
STRONG
boon
NOUN
drama
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comedy farce play production scene show theater tragedy
STRONG
Broadway boards climax dramatization dramaturgy footlights showmanship stagecraft theatricals vehicle
WEAK
dramatic art histrionic art show business stage show tear-jerker thespian art
Antonyms
STRONGEST
tragedy
WEAK
comedy
NOUN
drama
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comedy emotion excitement farce scene spectacle tension tragedy
STRONG
climax crisis dramatics histrionics
WEAK
theatrics
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calmness peace tragedy
WEAK
comedy
NOUN
dramatization
Synonyms
STRONG
dramatics entertainment
NOUN
excitement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adventure buzz commotion confusion drama elation emotion feeling frenzy furor fuss hysteria motivation passion rage thrill trepidation tumult turmoil warmth
STRONG
action activity ado agitation animation bother discomposure disturbance dither excitation ferment fever flurry heat hubbub hullabaloo hurry impulse instigation intoxication kicks motive movement perturbation provocation stimulation stimulus stir titillation to-do urge wildness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm calmness depression happiness order peace stillness
STRONG
cessation discouragement frigidity hate hindrance idleness inaction inactivity inertia quiet rest stoppage
WEAK
apathy boredom dullness lull
NOUN
maudlinism
Synonyms
WEAK
bathos emotionalness gushiness maudlinness mawkishness melodramatics mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
NOUN
mawkishness
Synonyms
STRONG
bathos mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
WEAK
emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness melodramatics
NOUN
mushiness
Synonyms
STRONG
bathos mawkishness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
WEAK
emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness melodramatics
NOUN
romance
Synonyms
STRONG
ballad fantasy fiction idealization idyll legend lyric novel story tale
WEAK
fairy tale love story tear-jerker
Antonyms
STRONG
nonfiction truth
NOUN
sappiness
Synonyms
WEAK
bathos emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness mawkishness melodramatics mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
NOUN
schmaltz
Synonyms
STRONG
bathos mawkishness mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
WEAK
emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness melodramatics
NOUN
schmaltziness
Synonyms
WEAK
bathos emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness mawkishness melodramatics mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
NOUN
sentimentalism
Synonyms
STRONG
bathos mawkishness mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment triteness
WEAK
emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness melodramatics
NOUN
sentimentality
Synonyms
STRONGEST
nostalgia
STRONG
bathos mawkishness mushiness reminiscence sentiment triteness
WEAK
emotionalness gushiness maudlinness melodramatics
NOUN
sloppiness
Synonyms
STRONG
bathos mawkishness mushiness nostalgia reminiscence sentiment sentimentalism triteness
WEAK
emotionalness gushiness maudlinism maudlinness melodramatics
NOUN
soap opera
Synonyms
STRONGEST
serial soap
WEAK
daytime drama daytime serial daytime soap nighttime soap

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There is still plenty of value in the theatrical melodrama.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

While the melodrama has only just been taken off life support, “Reminders of Him” is a start.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

"Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

In “Anna Karenina,” for instance, Tolstoy immediately plunges into a melodrama of infidelity, marriage proposals and ballroom dancing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

"But then," Yolanda says in the ominous voice of a radio melodrama, "then Papi found the letters."

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.