sentimentality

noun

sen·​ti·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌsen-tə-ˌmen-ˈta-lə-tē 

-mən-

plural sentimentalities

1

: the quality or state of being sentimental especially to excess or in affectation

2

: a sentimental idea or its expression

Synonyms

• bathos
• gooeyness
• lovey-doveyness
• mawkishness
• mush
• mushiness
• saccharinity
• sappiness
• sentimentalism
• sloppiness
• soppiness
• syrup
• sirup

Examples of sentimentality in a Sentence

the sentimentality of Romantic poetry

the sentimentality of the story of star-crossed lovers only made it even more popular with moviegoers

Recent Examples on the Web

Gone are the days of sending flowers and jewelry; today’s unique anniversary gifts for him and her focus on personal touches and sentimentality. —Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025

The Islanders spent their final game before the trade deadline surrounded by uncertainty and steeped in sentimentality. —Jerry Beach, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Is his tendency to scorn sentimentality on sight a put-on or a character flaw? —Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2025

The piano score can hit the sentimentality too hard. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sentimentality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality

Kids Definition

sentimentality

noun

sen·​ti·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌsent-ə-ˌmen-ˈtal-ət-ē 

-mən-

plural sentimentalities

1

: the quality or state of being sentimental and especially overly sentimental

2

: a sentimental idea or its expression