sentimentality

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noun sen·ti·men·tal·i·ty \ˌsen-tə-ˌmen-ˈta-lə-tē, -mən-\

Definition of sentimentality

plural

sentimentalities

1 : the quality or state of being sentimental especially to excess or in affectation
2 : a sentimental idea or its expression

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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 of sentimentality from the Web

The following books depict women outside of sentimentality and place them at the center of difficult journeys or in situations that celebrate the complexity of their identities as women, Latinas and of course, mothers.

— rigoberto gonzález, NBC News, "Summer Reads: 7 Latino Books About Mothers", 31 May 2017
This was the reward for those who knew how to think correctly, who understood the logic of History, who did not surrender to senseless sentimentality!

— adam kirsch, The New Yorker, "Czeslaw Milosz’s Battle for Truth", 29 May 2017
His finest moments came during more quiet, intimate sections, finding the poetry in Brahms, but never crossing over into sentimentality.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Jahja Ling triumphant in San Diego Symphony farewell concert", 27 May 2017
Taste and sentimentality have nothing to do with this.

— steven levy, WIRED, "Google’s Sophie Choice", 9 May 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sentimentality'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.