mehr-ih-TOR-ee-us
(adjective) Deserving of praise, recognition, or reward.
Her years of meritorious service were recognized with a public award.
Fun Fact
Meritorious is often seen in formal settings like military commendations, academic scholarships, and public service awards. But it also shows up in HR evaluations, theater reviews, and grant proposals—anywhere someone has done work that isn’t just good, but exceptionally worthy of notice.
hiss-tree-ON-ik
(adjective) Overly dramatic or emotional in behavior or speech; exaggerated for effect.
Her reaction to the minor inconvenience was so histrionic that everyone nearby stopped to stare.
Histrionic comes from the Latin histrio, meaning “actor,” and originally referred to stage performance. Over time, the meaning expanded to describe behavior that resembles theatrical acting—exaggerated, emotional, and designed to draw attention.
Fun Fact
Psychologists note that histrionic behavior can sometimes emerge in high-pressure environments, like competitive arts, sports, or politics, where expressive displays grab attention quickly. Studies in communication science show that dramatic gestures and heightened emotion can make messages seem more memorable — but also less trustworthy when overused.
Today's Word Histrionic hiss-tree-ON-ik Definition (adjective) Overly dramatic or emotional...
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