psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdrä-mə 

-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

ˌsī-kō-drə-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Examples of psychodrama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gaga would be seen as a key component of what Phillips wants to do with this sequel as well, in terms of integrating old-fashioned musical numbers into the psychodrama. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2024

Excess, violence, and the kind of family psychodrama that would make Sigmund Freud’s eyes pop — yes, the first full trailer for Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is here. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024

Jane Campion’s masterly psychodrama is a story of repression, something Rose knows a thing or two about. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

psychodrama

noun

psy·​cho·​dra·​ma ˌsī-kō-ˈdräm-ə, -ˈdram-; ˈsī-kō-ˌdräm-ə, -ˌdram- 

: 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

-kō-drə-ˈmat-ik 

adjective