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
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
For a lot of Black dads, specifically those of a certain generation, life dealt them an unfairly tough hand, leaving them in a constant state of survival where feelings and sentimentality could be the difference between life and death.
—
Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Creating character is not among Murphy and Robertson’s strengths, and their pivot to awkward sentimentality throws the whole negotiation into disarray.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Truth be told, the final stretches of sentimentality might’ve been a bit much, if Gaga hadn’t earned the right to get lovey-dovey with us by being such a scary goofball earlier on.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
Michelle’s unfazed, stunned response to the homily at Mass during the opening scene introduces Ozon’s own lack of sentimentality and affirms Ozon’s connection to cinema’s greatest traditions.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sentimentality
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Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
Creating character is not among Murphy and Robertson’s strengths, and their pivot to awkward sentimentality throws the whole negotiation into disarray.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Truth be told, the final stretches of sentimentality might’ve been a bit much, if Gaga hadn’t earned the right to get lovey-dovey with us by being such a scary goofball earlier on.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2025
Michelle’s unfazed, stunned response to the homily at Mass during the opening scene introduces Ozon’s own lack of sentimentality and affirms Ozon’s connection to cinema’s greatest traditions.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sentimentality
Cite this Entry
“Sentimentality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentimentality. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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