soap opera

noun

Synonyms of soap operanext
1
a
: a serial drama performed originally on a daytime radio or television program and chiefly characterized by tangled interpersonal situations and melodramatic or sentimental treatment
b
: a series of real-life events resembling a soap opera
2
: the melodrama and sentimentality characteristic of a soap opera
… even cops need a little soap opera in their lives …—Joseph Wambaugh
also : something (such as a novel) having such qualities
soap-operatic
ˈsōp-ˌä-pə-ˈra-tik How to pronounce soap opera (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of soap opera

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Examples of soap opera in a Sentence

She loves to watch daytime soap operas. the movie started out well, but quickly devolved into improbable soap opera
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sequel trades in the gravitas of the OG best picture winner for pulpy soap opera and bonkers visuals. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 What started out with a kiss between two Democratic officials in a local township office has devolved into a southwest suburban political soap opera with the potential to reshape competitive races for Congress and the Cook County Board. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 What had been a highlight of his hunting career was turning into a soap opera, with Rompola painted as the villain by those who never saw the deer or the antlers and didn’t know much, if anything, about it. — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026 The Giants are putting crowds to sleep, the 49ers are trapped in a daytime soap opera, and the Warriors — who have given you no reason to believe — and the Sharks, who have — aren’t playing yet. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soap opera

Word History

Etymology

from its sponsorship by soap manufacturers

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of soap opera was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

soap nut
soap opera
soap orange
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soap opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap%20opera. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

soap opera

noun
: a radio or television drama presented in a series of continuing stories and characters and intended to appeal to the emotions
Etymology

so called because the advertisers on these programs were usually soap manufacturers

More from Merriam-Webster on soap opera

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soap opera

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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