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

The film doesn’t resort to any cliche or sentimentality. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025

Constable’s artistic attraction to nature was imbued with sentimentality. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025

Even if the story demands it, giving into sentimentality or full-throated tragedy could upset what turns out to be the film’s almost chemically precise structure. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025

Nostalgia and the ache of moving on permeate every frame of The Ballad of Wallis Island, lending an air of precious sentimentality that threatens to slide into the saccharine. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025

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