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 objects of female desire—boy bands, teen idols, soap opera characters, suspiciously close hockey players—have always been subject to ridicule. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026 Alan Dysert, who portrayed the con man Sean Cudahy on the ABC soap opera All My Children, has died. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 Well, this royal soap opera shows no signs of concluding anytime soon. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 22 Oct. 2026 That entire ordeal is presented in detail, a backstage drama in miniature that treats the boardroom soap opera as the last chance to keep Pandora’s box shut. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 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

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