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
Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
The thin glaze on top adds a bit of sweetness without being cloying.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The sole respite from the cloying ooze was the strawberries, which tasted wholesome by comparison.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
The shoes are charming but not cloying, nostalgic without trying to be.
—Air Mail, 11 Oct. 2025
The thin glaze on top adds a bit of sweetness without being cloying.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The sole respite from the cloying ooze was the strawberries, which tasted wholesome by comparison.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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Which is how Robb Report ended up in Friedrichshafen for this sentimental centennial drive, which would retrace many of the roads and locations of that original trip.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
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To safeguard fragile or sentimental items, wrap them in paper or bubble wrap before placing them in a bin.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the final step, Rag & Bone overdyes the garments, saturating pieces to add depths of tone and contrast.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
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Set the pot in a shallow pool of water so the soil will absorb water over a few hours, saturating the potting media.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some rat poison pellets and sticky pads were being used to treat the problem.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
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Your head hurts, your socks are sticky, and you’re supposed to be focused on winning a championship.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Many analysts had speculated Milei would, once the election was out of the way, tilt toward a floating currency — alleviating pressure on the nation’s trade position.—
Daniel Flatley,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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Prune juice is a common home remedy for alleviating constipation.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This team isn’t talented enough to beat the Ravens with errors and sloppy operation.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
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Shares of Target have tumbled about 35% in the last year, as its own merchandising issues, a sloppier store experience and boycotts over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs all weigh on its business.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There are five plush layers in total, starting with a pressure-relieving base and topped off with a cool, soft wool surface.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
4 Nov. 2025
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At the time, Kenvue said in a statement that acetaminophen is the safest pain-relieving option for pregnant women.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But the duo eventually decided to move back to Shanghai to realize their creative vision — building a fantasy of a strong female character with a penchant for saccharine dresses.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
9 Oct. 2025
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The sweetness was subtle, not saccharine.—
Aisha Muharrar,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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