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
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
The script hardly requires much nuance, though, and a parting slurp of sentimentality doesn’t compensate.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
This sentimentality towards the past is more than a sign of resistance to progress.
—Will Johnson, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
The characters’ unabashed sentimentality is the mere shimmer on the surface of great depths of mutual devotion.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2023
As their twin narratives continue, Auburn jostles audience expectations, steering the story away from potentially melodramatic plot points, eschewing sentimentality — even offering a flight of fancy or two.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 26 Apr. 2023
This closeness, shown without a smidgen of sentimentality, serves as the saving grace of these women’s lives.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2023
The show pitted Fran's free-wheeling, spirited style against the uptight manners of her employers, with a dose of sentimentality thrown in.
—Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 17 July 2023
But as a lesson in the difference between truth-telling and sentimentality, his observation is instructive.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 17 June 2023
But while this helps the generations to understand each other, there isn’t any false sentimentality about the experience; just a sense of how pain carries on in the blood of families and larger social units, especially if history’s wounds never see sunlight.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2023
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Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
This sentimentality towards the past is more than a sign of resistance to progress.
—Will Johnson, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
The characters’ unabashed sentimentality is the mere shimmer on the surface of great depths of mutual devotion.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2023
As their twin narratives continue, Auburn jostles audience expectations, steering the story away from potentially melodramatic plot points, eschewing sentimentality — even offering a flight of fancy or two.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 26 Apr. 2023
This closeness, shown without a smidgen of sentimentality, serves as the saving grace of these women’s lives.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2023
The show pitted Fran's free-wheeling, spirited style against the uptight manners of her employers, with a dose of sentimentality thrown in.
—Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 17 July 2023
But as a lesson in the difference between truth-telling and sentimentality, his observation is instructive.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 17 June 2023
But while this helps the generations to understand each other, there isn’t any false sentimentality about the experience; just a sense of how pain carries on in the blood of families and larger social units, especially if history’s wounds never see sunlight.
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sentimentality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near sentimentality
Cite this Entry
“Sentimentality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentimentality. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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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
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