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
De Niro received an Oscar nomination for his unforgettable performance, and Williams brings a gentle humanism to a role that could have easily slipped into sentimentality.
—
Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Woody the sheriff and Buzz Lightyear will be back, sparking up our hearts with more fun for Fire signs who love adventure, Earth signs who appreciate the sentimentality, Air signs who laugh at the banter and Water signs who believe in fantasy.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 18 June 2025
The sentimentality of the logline is undercut by Burnett’s dreamlike evocations of girlhood.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Even during times of economic or political strife, the category as a whole traditionally maintains its stronghold, whether for reasons of sentimentality or investment.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sentimentality
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Woody the sheriff and Buzz Lightyear will be back, sparking up our hearts with more fun for Fire signs who love adventure, Earth signs who appreciate the sentimentality, Air signs who laugh at the banter and Water signs who believe in fantasy.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 18 June 2025
The sentimentality of the logline is undercut by Burnett’s dreamlike evocations of girlhood.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Even during times of economic or political strife, the category as a whole traditionally maintains its stronghold, whether for reasons of sentimentality or investment.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 5 June 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 18 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share