as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
the cloying sentiments of so many Mother's Day cards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cloying
Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
The thin glaze on top adds a bit of sweetness without being cloying.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The sole respite from the cloying ooze was the strawberries, which tasted wholesome by comparison.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
The shoes are charming but not cloying, nostalgic without trying to be.
—Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
The thin glaze on top adds a bit of sweetness without being cloying.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The sole respite from the cloying ooze was the strawberries, which tasted wholesome by comparison.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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Yet other filmmakers pick up on the thread of romantic longing Whale introduced in 1935 with The Bride of Frankenstein, leading to films like Edward Scissorhands (1990) in which the monster becomes a sentimental anti-hero.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
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Family heirlooms or sentimental items might not be used frequently (or at all), but the emotional attachment to these things is worth the valuable space on your storage shelves.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the final step, Rag & Bone overdyes the garments, saturating pieces to add depths of tone and contrast.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
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Set the pot in a shallow pool of water so the soil will absorb water over a few hours, saturating the potting media.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Next, add the pumpkin and peanut butter and blend until the mixture is sticky.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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At the heart of this first of what could be many such trials is the premise that social media and its algorithms and sticky attraction have harsh consequences of thoughts of suicide, depression, sleep disruption, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and anxiety.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The changes are aimed at alleviating stress on essential airport employees who have been working without pay, and ensuring flights remain safe.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Kuminga has been outstanding so far this season, alleviating concerns about his fit with Curry, Butler and Draymond Green.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The soft knit fabric drapes just right, giving that relaxed vibe without looking sloppy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Practice had been a bit a sloppy at times, but San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher had a wide smile anyway Thursday afternoon.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There are five plush layers in total, starting with a pressure-relieving base and topped off with a cool, soft wool surface.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
4 Nov. 2025
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At the time, Kenvue said in a statement that acetaminophen is the safest pain-relieving option for pregnant women.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Though the show may seem like a perfectly picturesque, saccharine snow globe at first glance, there's a bite woven in, at times acerbic, at times deeply dramatic in a real-life way.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Several testers found the monk fruit or allulose sweeteners (depending on flavor) tipped the drinks in a harshly herbal or saccharine direction, and found the high from the Uplifting Watermelon Lime flavor to be jarringly strong.—
Chala June,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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