1. overly dramatic or theatrical in behavior or speech
2. relating to actors or acting
Usage: formal

1. exaggerated dramatic behavior designed to attract attention
Usage: usually plural: histrionics

Examples

• Her histrionic reaction to the minor criticism seemed excessive.
• The politician’s histrionic speech failed to convince the audience.
• Stop the histrionics and tell me what really happened.
• His histrionic gestures made the simple story seem like a grand tragedy.
• The actress was known for her histrionic performances on stage.
• We grew tired of her constant histrionics whenever things didn’t go her way.
• The histrionic art of ancient Greece influenced modern theater.