as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
the cloying sentiments of so many Mother's Day cards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cloying
Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
Why Guava Is Summer 2025's Breakout Flavor Guava might not be as familiar as strawberry or raspberry jam, but its flavor is instantly crave-worthy—slightly floral and naturally sweet without being cloying.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025
The alluring scent of chocolate, glorious chocolate, wafts toward you, sweet but not cloying, heady and intoxicating.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Despite its fame, the wine is measured and clean, not cloying.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Verb
This appealingly low-ABV cocktail—sherry typically clocks in at 15 to 20 percent—is perfect for folks who find vermouth to be a bit too cloying.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
Why Guava Is Summer 2025's Breakout Flavor Guava might not be as familiar as strawberry or raspberry jam, but its flavor is instantly crave-worthy—slightly floral and naturally sweet without being cloying.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025
The alluring scent of chocolate, glorious chocolate, wafts toward you, sweet but not cloying, heady and intoxicating.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
Despite its fame, the wine is measured and clean, not cloying.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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Locals are sentimental about the happy, drunken teen graduates, who are thanked by strangers for their future contributions to Denmark.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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The conceit is inherently crowdpleasing — a man stumbling into strangers’ lives and finding unexpected connection — but Hikari steers it with earnestness, elevating it beyond sentimental comedy.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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English advises saturating natural hair mats with Designme’s leave-in treatment, then applying their rich hydrating mask before detangling (first pass with your fingers, then with a wide-tooth comb) from the ends to the roots.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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According to San Angelo, some signs of a dirty microwave filter include if they are discolored, sticky, and/or sometimes smell like grease.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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Sapodilla, a pear-like fruit that looks like a coconut, adds a malty butterscotch intensity to a sticky toffee pudding.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Third, the letter writer and her family might want to consider engaging a geriatric care manager who could help them to identify supplementary services and connections in the local community that could go at least some way to alleviating her isolation.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
10 Sep. 2025
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Third, something the letter writer and her family might want to consider engaging a geriatric care manager who could help them to identify supplementary services and connections in the local community that could go at least some way to alleviating her isolation.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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According to Amazon reviews, the material is soft with just the right amount of stretch, while the fit is roomy without looking sloppy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
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In that high‑tempo, but sloppy matchup, the Wildcats fell 46‑24, with Mari Adams, a top running back, contributing heavily on the ground and showing flashes of explosive play.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition to their pressure-relieving features, these mats add an aesthetic touch to your kitchen thanks to their soft fabric surface that boasts pretty designs and patterns.—
Taylor Lane,
Flow Space,
9 Sep. 2025
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The report will suggest that the pain-relieving medication is among the potential causes of autism, along with low levels of folate (a vitamin that promotes cell growth), according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That saccharine silliness juxtaposed with the heady themes of the plot are part of the DNA of the franchise throughout all entries and would follow Kojima to his current work on Death Stranding.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
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At DurianBB Park in Kuala Lumpur, people taste platters of varieties of the spiky, football-sized fruit – from the saccharine sweet Musang King to the custardy Black Thorn – grown at the company’s farms.—
Amy Gunia,
CNN Money,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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