Who can tell me the difference between the meanings of the two words?

Question

Could you tell me the difference between the meanings of the two words, 'drastic' and 'dramatic'?

Are they synonyms?

Thanks,very much!

Certainly,I have a dictionary and I have looked them up in it ,but I still can't distinguish their meanings. I am not lazy,I just want to konw the definite definitions. Could I use one instead of the other when I am writting? Thanks.

Answer 1

i don't think they are exactly synonyms...but they are close...dramatic is more superficial...if someone is being dramatic they are overacting or making a situation more than it is....drastic is more tangible....a drastic measure is an action taken which is either larger than necessary or absolutely situation ending...

ie - she was so dramatic when she had that cold...sniffling so loudly, moaning out loud, rocking and holding her head...however she took drastic measures to make her nose stop running - she cut it off

Answer 2

Well you have to learn Etymology.

That's the meaning and origin of root words, usually Greek, Latin, or Anglo Saxon (for the English Language). A good dictionary will show the root words. If you can find a course in etymology in your area it is well worth taking. That's especially true if you go on to take a course like medical terminology, where new words are created all the time out of their root words. Some roots are nouns, while others are adjectives or adverbs. Some are typically prefixes or suffixes. Once you know the ones that make up the common words in the English language you can make an educated guess as to the meaning of a new word when you encounter one. You can't assume you will always have a computer in front of you or a dictionary in your pocket!

Answer 3

No they are not synonyms.
Drastic is an action taken, that is extreme or forceful; severe. from the Greek word drasticos < to do, act, as in action>
Dramatic infers a Drama. Something resulting in sudden emotional impact, or is striking or effective or flamboyant.
Again from the same Greek word or dirivative dran with a tilde ~ above the a. < unfortunately also meaning, to do.>
The difference is that Drastic is an action taken and Drematic is an experience recieved.

Answer 4

drastic: extreme in effect or action (drastic measures, but I think you can also say dramatic measures). Synonym is severe

dramatic: applies to situations in life and literature that stir the imagination and emotions deeply (a dramatic pause)

Answer 5

I know what you mean. I have the same problem with "patronize" and "condescend".

Drastic implies more desperation, I believe. A drastic action is something that might not be taken or considered under normal cricumstances.

Dramatic implies impressive action -- perhaps unusual and beyond the norm, but probably not desperate.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Drastic usually refers to extreme actions/measures. For example, ''We had to take drastic measures to ensure his safety.''

Dramatic however, refers to striking action or behavior. As in ''His dramatic actions caught the attention of the class''.

Answer 7

commonly drastic has more to do with some kind of physical action: like:
That was drastic action we had to take.

Dramatic has more to do with expression: Like:
That was a dramatic performance you put on: