as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a mawkish plea for donations to the charity
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Recent Examples of mawkish
Now, after the two men canoodle, there’s a mawkish finale meant to invoke purpose and principle.
—
Armond White, National Review, 26 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for mawkish 
Armond White, National Review, 26 July 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for mawkish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mawkish
Adjective
-
The opening of the gift was a sentimental moment for more reasons than one.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Memories are attached to sentimental objects as the moon and Mercury harmonize!—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ekman-Larsson’s sloppy high-sticking penalty in the third led to a go-ahead goal, bringing the grade down a touch. D3 (Simon Benoit — Philippe Myers): C- After a strong effort on Thursday, this pair came back to earth on Saturday.—
Nick Ashbourne,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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But Klein notes that all the activity belies just how many of the new administration's most high-profile decisions have already been stymied by sloppy rollouts, gotten jammed up by the courts, or faced widespread condemnation by world leaders.—
Gene Demby,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Finish half the wings with Buffalo sauce and the rest with a sticky ginger-soy glaze.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appétit,
13 Feb. 2025
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The hit dating series promises some drama this season as the trailer shows contestants in some seemingly sticky situations.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near mawkish
Cite this Entry
“Mawkish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mawkish. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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