overdramatization
Making mountains, molehills
Overdramatization is the act of making something seem more dramatic, serious, or emotionally intense than it actually is.
The word implies exaggeration that distorts reality: His overdramatization of a minor setback exhausted everyone around him.
Often used critically to suggest someone is being theatrical or attention-seeking about ordinary problems.
Exaggerated emotional behavior
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
- soap operaSerialized melodramatic broadcast drama
- tearjerkerEmotionally manipulative entertainment
- schmaltzPoultry fat or sentimentality
sentimentality · pathos · hammy · maudlin · telenovela · operatic · camp · kitsch
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
inflation · distortion · overkill · overemphasis · overplaying · aggrandizement · caricature · puffery
Deep unfocused worry
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- wallowingIndulging without restraint
brooding · moping · sulking · self-pity · martyrdom · victimhood · catastrophizing · doom and gloom
Carrying out a task
- actingTemporarily holding position
- hammingExaggerated theatrical performance
- muggingRobbery with violence
- scenery-chewingTheatrical overperformance
showboating · grandstanding · posturing · attention-seeking · playing to the gallery · diva · prima donna · tantrum
Increasing in degree
- intensificationIncrease in degree
- inflamingArousing strong emotion
- stokingFeeding a fire
- fanning the flamesWorsening a volatile situation
blowing up · snowballing · spiraling · amplifying · whipping up · stirring up · agitating · inciting
histrionics
Exaggerated emotional behavior
- theatricsExaggerated dramatic behavior
- soap operaSerialized melodramatic broadcast drama
- tearjerkerEmotionally manipulative entertainment
schmaltz · sentimentality · pathos · hammy · maudlin · telenovela · operatic · camp · kitsch · hand-wringing
hyperbole
Rhetorical extreme exaggeration
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
- overstatementClaim beyond the facts
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
magnification · inflation · distortion · overkill · overemphasis · overplaying · aggrandizement · caricature · puffery · bombast
angst
Deep unfocused worry
wallowing · brooding · moping · sulking · self-pity · martyrdom · victimhood · catastrophizing · doom and gloom · hand-wringing
performance
Carrying out a task
- actingTemporarily holding position
- hammingExaggerated theatrical performance
- muggingRobbery with violence
scenery-chewing · showboating · grandstanding · posturing · attention-seeking · playing to the gallery · diva · prima donna · tantrum · outburst
heightening
Increasing in degree
- intensificationIncrease in degree
- inflamingArousing strong emotion
- stokingFeeding a fire
fanning the flames · blowing up · snowballing · spiraling · amplifying · whipping up · stirring up · agitating · inciting · provoking
overdramatizationunderstatement
Intentional diminishment for effect
minimization · downplaying · restraint · underplaying · muting
overdramatizationrealism
Accepting things as they are
objectivity · level-headedness · measured response · even-handedness
overdramatize, overdramatic, dramatization, dramatize, dramatized, dramatizing, dramatizes, dramatic, dramatically