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

Schmaltz refers to excessive sentimentality or melodrama and is often used for art, movies, music or storytelling purposes. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 2 Nov. 2024

By Barry Levitt October 14, 2024 10:31 PM EDT English Teacher, created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, is a show with no interest in sentimentality. —Barry Levitt, TIME, 15 Oct. 2024

Cromer has a singular gift for poignancy without sentimentality. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

His workingman shtick, borrowed from socialist folk-music sentimentality, is sustained by the showbiz equivalent of the Democrat machine. —Armond White, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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