sentimentalism

sen·ti·men·tal·ism | \ ˌsen-tə-ˈmen-tə-ˌli-zəm

How to pronounce sentimentalism (audio)

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Definition of sentimentalism

1 : the disposition to favor or indulge in sentimentality

2 : an excessively sentimental conception or statement

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Examples of sentimentalism in a Sentence

the sentimentalism of 19th-century art the novel's sentimentalism bored me

Recent Examples on the Web With the rise of the middle class in the 17th and 18th centuries, sentimentalism became a movement that emphasized compassion as a desirable character trait, causing an increase in the expressions of sentiment. — cleveland, "The long history of Valentine’s Day told as a short story at The Normandy in Rocky River," 10 Feb. 2020 The sentimentalism was mitigated by regular doses of bawdy humor, the targets of which were no doubt the envy of quite a number of spectators of both sexes. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Hugh Jackman sings, dances and charms, delivering a grand time at the Hollywood Bowl," 21 July 2019 Well, not too much treacle; anything that starts with James Earl Jones' narration is bound to have its own blend of gravitas and sentimentalism. — A.d. Amorosi, chicagotribune.com, "Album Review: Beyonce‘s ‘The Lion King: The Gift’," 19 July 2019 Two new books offer important corrections to such sentimentalism. — The Economist, "Under the surface of Eisenhower’s era," 3 May 2018 Score one for Boston sentimentalism — and count me in. — Dave Denison, BostonGlobe.com, "The Citgo sign has a dark side. Should that matter to Boston?," 8 Mar. 2018 The melodies relate to Celtic music, and the people who live there share a love for sentimentalism and suffering in silence. — WSJ, "Novelist Graeme Macrae Burnet on Johnny Cash," 24 Oct. 2017 But strip away the easy sentimentalism of the moment and you’re left with little else. — Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, "India’s Incredibly Shrunken Presidency," 20 July 2017 But the inclusion of the sweet little blond girl struck me as a step in the direction of interspecies sentimentalism. — Dana Stevens, Slate Magazine, "War for the Planet of the Apes," 11 July 2017

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

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Dictionary Entries near sentimentalism

sentimental comedy

sentimental value

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Last Updated

20 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Sentimentalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentimentalism. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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