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

Of course, anyone with a low tolerance for sugary sweet, sometimes sticky sentimentality would want to suck on a pack of lemons afterwards. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

So hopefully the game ends with some sentimentality, some heart for people. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024

Peels back the layers of sentimentality surrounding panda conservation, revealing the unsettling realities that hinder its primary objective: protecting the species from human ambitions. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024

As Sylvie packs up, the boxes of her parents’ old keepsakes become the perfect altar at which to invoke nostalgia and, with relentless sentimentality, call upon the power of story. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 July 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