saccharine

adjective sac·cha·rine \ ˈsa-k(ə-)rən , -kə-ˌrēn , -kə-ˌrīn \

Definition of saccharine

1 a :of, relating to, or resembling that of sugar

saccharine taste

b :yielding or containing sugar

saccharine vegetables

2 :overly or sickishly sweet

saccharine flavor

3 :ingratiatingly or affectedly agreeable or friendly

4 :overly sentimental :mawkish

a saccharine love story

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saccharinity

play \ˌsa-kə-ˈri-nə-tē\ noun

See saccharine defined for English-language learners

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Examples of saccharine in a Sentence

the movie was funny, but it had a saccharine ending in which everyone lives happily ever after

Recent Examples of saccharine from the Web

Yet that subversive element keeps the saccharine at bay.

— bill goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Offbeat ‘Brigsby Bear’ is charming and disturbing," 17 Aug. 2017
The lighthearted throwback track placed the individual tones of each of the eight women front and center, showing off their powerfully saccharine vocals.

— tamar herman, Billboard, "Every Girls' Generation Single Ranked From Worst to Best: Critic's Take," 11 Aug. 2017
That same red carpet found Rihanna putting a saccharine spin on bad gal beauty, her palette of pinks elevated by a sweet and slight bit of black that took her look from simple sugar to sugar and spice with minimal effort.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Why One, Two, Flick Eyeliner Is a Summer Night Win," 19 July 2017
The drama is often contrived; the understanding of how magazines work is misinformed even for a TV show; the tone is saccharine enough to give even the most patient viewers cavities.

— laura bradley, HWD, "The Bold Type Is the Bubbly, Ridiculous Dramedy You Need This Summer," 11 July 2017
Gone, as well, is the Blue Note, a Loop jazz club that weaned me off the saccharine pap of Tin Pan Alley tunes.

— ron grossman, chicagotribune.com, "As Chicago changes, memory preserves what the bulldozer destroys," 5 July 2017
In the current summer reality-TV landscape, shows such as America’s Got Talent and the new World of Dance are sincere and sweet, even saccharine.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: In 2017, the new 'Gong Show' feels like it's trolling," 21 June 2017
Bartenders mix the whisky with a simple syrup made from kokuto sugar, a Japanese brown sugar that's a little less saccharine than standard white crystals, with hints of molasses that add a lovely finish.

— marissa conrad, chicagotribune.com, "Tokyo Old-Fashioned at Gilt Bar," 9 June 2017
Others tap dance, recite poetry, or sing music selections — adapted love songs — that blur the line between saccharine and sweet.

— anya groner, Longreads, "Twinless in Twinsburg," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'saccharine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.