saccharine

1 of 2

adjective

sac·​cha·​rine ˈsa-k(ə-)rən  -kə-ˌrēn  -kə-ˌrīn 

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

saccharinity

ˌsa-kə-ˈri-nə-tē 

noun

saccharinity

2 of 2

noun

sac·​cha·​rin·​i·​ty ˌsakəˈrinətē 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being saccharine : sweetness

Synonyms of saccharine

Adjective

• sentimental
• sticky
• sloppy

Examples of saccharine in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

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, 10 Aug. 2026

This perfume combines the quintessential summer fruit with tonka bean, florals, plum nectar, and apple blossom for a truly memorable, sweet but not overly saccharine finish. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026

Overdo it, and your recipe becomes too saccharine. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin saccharum

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for saccharine

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

Kids Definition

saccharine

adjective

sac·​cha·​rine ˈsak-(ə-)rən 

-ə-ˌrēn, 

-ə-ˌrīn

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling sugar or its characteristics

saccharine taste

b

: producing or containing sugar

saccharine fluids

2

: overly sweet

a saccharine smile

Medical Definition

saccharine

adjective

sac·​cha·​rine

ˈsak-(ə-)rən also -ə-ˌrēn or -ə-ˌrīn

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling that of sugar

saccharine taste

b

: yielding or containing sugar

a saccharine fluid

2

: overly or sickeningly sweet

saccharine flavor