cloying 1 of 2

adjective

ˈklȯi-iŋ How to pronounce cloying (audio)
Definition of cloyingnext
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way the cloying sentiments of so many Mother's Day cards

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cloying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of cloy
as in saturating

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cloying
Adjective
Unfortunately, everything else in this misadventure, from annoying love interests to cloying sidekicks, is a minecart going off the rails. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 June 2026 Honey scent does not have to read as cloying, even on hot days. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026 Only at the start of April do these flowers begin to unfurl in delicate clusters, their petals heavy with dew and a sweet, cloying scent. — Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 25 May 2026 And also very joyous without being sentimental or cloying. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
  1. sentimental
  2. saturating
  3. sticky
  4. alleviating
  5. sloppy
  6. relieving
  7. saccharine
Adjective
  • Houston could soar within it because Parton imbued it with a musical and sentimental purity that made room for the enormity of her expressiveness.
    — Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ditsy floral quilt toppers add a sentimental anchor to bedrooms, while vintage pieces threaded throughout the rest of the property have been lovingly sourced by the experts at New York’s The Somerset House.
    — Dipal Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sentimental
Verb
  • That creates an important exception for government agencies that test drugs and send out regular reports on what adulterants are saturating the drug supply in certain locations.
    — Scott Maucione, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Spray it onto a microfiber cloth and wipe your floors to avoid over-saturating them.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026
Definition of saturating
Adjective
  • And with oil prices showing no sign of returning to pre-Iran war levels this year, pressure is increasing on the Fed to combat that sticky inflation by raising interest rates at its next policy-setting meeting in September.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The non-sticky finish adds a subtle shine, and nourishing ingredients like mango seed oil, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid keep lips feeling smooth and hydrated.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sticky
Verb
  • Europe’s efforts are for now too modest, too regulated, too fragmented, and too focused on alleviating government restrictions rather than promoting commercial use to fundamentally change dependencies that have accumulated over decades.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In 2021, in hopes of alleviating economic pressures during the pandemic, Congress passed legislation eliminating premiums for people with the lowest incomes and reduced the cost for people with higher incomes.
    — Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of alleviating
Adjective
  • There was a celebration of what Daniels can do at any point, which is to cover up inconsistency and sloppy execution by others with his extraordinary talent.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Chargers looked sloppy in their 41-17 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, following an inspiring 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans, and now aim for a better on-field product in their final tuneup.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Verb
  • The deployment of the giant carrier with nearly 100,000-ton displacement is aimed at relieving the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for over 250 days.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond muscle-relieving massages, Sofitel Spa offers holistic facials and banana leaf wraps as well.
    — DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of relieving
Adjective
  • At most points in American history, these would have read as pretty anodyne, even saccharine.
    — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Salinger, then seventy-six, seemed to think his assessment of his alma mater had been too saccharine.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of saccharine

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Cite this Entry

“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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