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
Smart and sweeping in scope, The Lost City of Z is an absorbing epic about persistence and hope without resorting to cheap sentimentality.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
The conversation even ends with a group hug, referencing a key moment from the first season; the callback comes across more like fan service than earned sentimentality.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Just like the hazy days post-Christmas and pre-New Year’s in which the film takes place, Boys Go to Jupiter is dreamy, melancholic, and steeped in blurry sentimentality.
—Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
A lot of critics and intellectual types sneered at its sentimentality and its love story.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 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.
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
The conversation even ends with a group hug, referencing a key moment from the first season; the callback comes across more like fan service than earned sentimentality.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Just like the hazy days post-Christmas and pre-New Year’s in which the film takes place, Boys Go to Jupiter is dreamy, melancholic, and steeped in blurry sentimentality.
—Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
A lot of critics and intellectual types sneered at its sentimentality and its love story.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 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 5 Jan. 2026.
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