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

• bathos
• gooeyness
• lovey-doveyness
• mawkishness
• mush
• mushiness
• saccharinity
• sappiness
• sentimentalism
• sloppiness
• soppiness
• syrup
• sirup

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

Beer, wine, dinner, coffee and a unique aesthetic ‘Unexpected benefit’ Former West Village resident and current Brooklynite Bria Schirripa remembers the wild days without much sentimentality. —Cindy Augustine, CNN Money, 14 June 2025

Its sentimentality could easily come across as maudlin, its structure too confusing to follow. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025

Unlike many romantic films that idealize love, Blue Valentine strips away all sentimentality, portraying a relationship that is messy, imperfect and often uncomfortable to watch. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson, never one for excess sentimentality, admitted the idea had been floating around for a while. —Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 2 June 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