schmaltz

variants also schmalz
as in sludge
something (as a work of literature or music) that is too sentimental the love song was a typical example of overproduced schmaltz

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of schmaltz At the heart of the kitchen is a spinning rotisserie loaded with chickens—whose drippings are used to make crisp, golden schmaltz potatoes. Michael Moberly, Saveur, 13 Aug. 2025 Everyone wants to see the Sandman bring back the worst behavior of his iconic A–hole-in-one character, and even tempered with a bit of sentimental-dad schmaltz, the Gilmore-goes-wild act is still potent. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2025 But Diamond’s career — kind of like Phil Collins’ — has long been a mix of true talent and schmaltz. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 5 June 2025 Doerr, meanwhile, creates a tender kind of suspense, alive and surprising and hopeful without careening into schmaltz. Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for schmaltz
Recent Examples of Synonyms for schmaltz
Noun
  • The Little Calumet, just blocks from where Steagall used to live, had shores like quicksand from all the toxic sludge and the Grand Calumet River was one of the most polluted bodies of water emptying into Lake Michigan.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Desalinating that water, however, would produce tons of brine, or super-salty sludge, as waste.
    Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The only thing that had to be digitalized, was some of the melting goo and some of the flies jumping down.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In one, the kitten sits by a backyard swimming pool full of rainbow goo.
    John Ruwitch, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Schmaltz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schmaltz. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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