as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a mawkish plea for donations to the charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sentimentality
the state or quality of having an excess of tender feelings (as of love, nostalgia, or compassion)
the grating mawkishness of her poetry makes me want to stamp on wildflowers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of mawkish
Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2024
The Oscar shorts are made entirely out of scenes like these, but there is no context — just hours and hours of garish twists and mawkish sentiment.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
Based on the 2005 bestselling book, Marley & Me had the potential to come across as a mawkish tale of puppy love, but instead is told as a heartwarming story of friendship, loss, and letting go.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Ed refused to spoon Bob, and his gentle and emancipated soul would surely rebuff mawkish kindness.
—Daniel Felsenthal, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mawkish 
Adjective
Most important is the songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, who might be a Broadway newcomer, but whose lyrics eschew the mawkish pitfalls in favor of simple, direct communication of intense but familiar emotions through melody and song.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2024
The Oscar shorts are made entirely out of scenes like these, but there is no context — just hours and hours of garish twists and mawkish sentiment.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
Based on the 2005 bestselling book, Marley & Me had the potential to come across as a mawkish tale of puppy love, but instead is told as a heartwarming story of friendship, loss, and letting go.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Ed refused to spoon Bob, and his gentle and emancipated soul would surely rebuff mawkish kindness.
—Daniel Felsenthal, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mawkish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mawkish
Adjective
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Their love story adds a sentimental layer that, in competing for narrative space, dilutes this send-up of American imperialism.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Jan. 2025
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YouTube videos may offer sentimental types and younger curiosity seekers a means to luxuriate in the Old Way of Doing Things, but only a maniac would truly want to go back to that era.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Through his long and, at times, controversial F1 career, Briatore has never been one for sentimentality.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
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Better Man ends on a several notes, some discordant, of forgiveness regarding both father and son, which admittedly tests your tolerance for sentimentality.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The fabric is breathable and lightweight without feeling thin or flimsy and the fit is slightly oversized, which gives it a relaxed and casual look that isn’t sloppy.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
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In the week leading up to Donald Trump’s inauguration, a brief but sloppy food fight broke out between the Trump team and the outgoing Biden administration over who deserves credit for finalizing a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The moment when Sean soothes Laszlo’s fears of losing his best human buddy by telling him that the fear of dying just makes every living moment more special — something else a centuries-old vampire wouldn’t understand — tiptoes right up to the edge of sentimentalism.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
19 Nov. 2024
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King’s honeyed voiceover begins the film with a kind of sentimentalism about childhood and its innocence.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
4 July 2024
Adjective
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The sticky oil can be applied directly to the belly and over right side of the abdomen, but holistic health enthusiasts like to soak a piece of cotton or flannel and apply heat for more intense delivery.—
Jessica Ourisman,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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Beauty-lovers can shop the Laneige Hydrating Lip Sleeping Mask that nourishes your lips without being sticky.—
Shea Simmons,
People.com,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near mawkish
Cite this Entry
“Mawkish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mawkish. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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