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

Yet sentimentality had little place in how Holtz ran the Notre Dame program. —Pete Sampson, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026

The tragedy is so unobstructed and there’s no wash of sentimentality over it. —Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026

Dunn, whose family roots trace back over 125 years and seven generations in Volusia County, feels a deep sense of sentimentality for local treasures. —Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026

But Duvall was never one to court sentimentality in his performances. —Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026

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