sentimentality

noun

sen·​ti·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌsen-tə-ˌmen-ˈta-lə-tē 

-mən-

plural sentimentalities

1

: the quality or state of being sentimental especially to excess or in affectation

2

: a sentimental idea or its expression

Synonyms of sentimentality

• sentimentalism

Examples of sentimentality in a Sentence

the sentimentality of Romantic poetry

the sentimentality of the story of star-crossed lovers only made it even more popular with moviegoers

Recent Examples on the Web

A lot of critics and intellectual types sneered at its sentimentality and its love story. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

Amos sketches Pskov’s residents with deep interest and sympathy, yet without condescension or sentimentality. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby are the secret weapons, and Nora Ephron's script never surrenders to sentimentality. —Bill Goodykoontz, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

One rescues the other and demonstrates the better qualities of relationships as Berg steadfastly avoids sentimentality, preferring her characters to actually learn from their experiences and live their lives to the fullest. —The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sentimentality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality

Kids Definition

sentimentality

noun

sen·​ti·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌsent-ə-ˌmen-ˈtal-ət-ē 

-mən-

plural sentimentalities

1

: the quality or state of being sentimental and especially overly sentimental

2

: a sentimental idea or its expression