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
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
The actor is glad the co-creators didn’t lean into that sentimentality.
—
Meredith Woerner, Variety, 21 June 2024
Heather Alicia Simms and Vanessa Bell Calloway are both sharp, witty, and poignant without sentimentality as the play’s two matriarchal figures, the formidable Missy Judson and Idella Landy, the wry, worldly-wise housekeeper who essentially raised Charlie.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024
To expect the narratives of an attraction to remain fixed in time is to be wedded to a form of sentimentality.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
As Soft treads easy-listening waters, its sentimentality and the firmness of its handle on pop-rock history can work to its disadvantage.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sentimentality 
Meredith Woerner, Variety, 21 June 2024
Heather Alicia Simms and Vanessa Bell Calloway are both sharp, witty, and poignant without sentimentality as the play’s two matriarchal figures, the formidable Missy Judson and Idella Landy, the wry, worldly-wise housekeeper who essentially raised Charlie.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024
To expect the narratives of an attraction to remain fixed in time is to be wedded to a form of sentimentality.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
As Soft treads easy-listening waters, its sentimentality and the firmness of its handle on pop-rock history can work to its disadvantage.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sentimentality
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sentimentality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sentimentality
Cite this Entry
“Sentimentality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentimentality. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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