psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdrä-mə How to pronounce psychodrama (audio)
-ˈdra-
1
: an extemporized dramatization designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for one or more of the participants from whose life history the plot is abstracted
2
: a dramatic narrative or work characterized by psychological overtones
3
: an often ongoing psychological struggle
also : an expression of psychological turmoil
psychodramatic adjective

Examples of psychodrama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Instead, this is a harrowing psychodrama that explores ritualistic child killings that allegedly overtook Europe in the 18th century as women’s reprieve from the bottomless pit of despair. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 June 2024 But this haunted and harrowing psychodrama — based on surviving records from the 18th century, and rooted in the day-to-day tedium of Styrian farm life — has too much respect for its emotionally isolated heroine to frame her unraveling as part of a broader phenomenon. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2024 Jane Campion’s spellbinding psychodrama about a cruel rancher (Benedict Cumberbatch) who terrorizes his tender brother’s new wife (Dunst) in 1920s Montana launched the next phase of Dunst’s career, which has now led her to Alex Garland’s Civil War. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024 Cusk’s follow-up, 2021’s Second Place, is a psychodrama about artistic production that sacrifices realistic world making for the starkness of fable. Nicholas Dames, The Atlantic, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for psychodrama 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'psychodrama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychodrama was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near psychodrama

Cite this Entry

“Psychodrama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychodrama. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Medical Definition

psychodrama

noun
: an extemporized dramatization designed to afford catharsis and social relearning for one or more of the participants from whose life history the plot is abstracted
psychodramatic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on psychodrama

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