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
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2025
Ultimately, Season 5 sees Joe behind bars and with his nether regions blown off by gunshot, with the majority of his remaining victims having survived his glass box, predatory cloying and delusional self-aggrandizement.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025
The persistent and cloying underscoring does not; the music exists to gin up emotions that aren’t earned.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
The fragrance is sweet yet refined, never cloying or childish.
—Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Verb
Namely, a harsh, acrid taste, and any kind of cloying sweetness.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2025
Ultimately, Season 5 sees Joe behind bars and with his nether regions blown off by gunshot, with the majority of his remaining victims having survived his glass box, predatory cloying and delusional self-aggrandizement.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025
The persistent and cloying underscoring does not; the music exists to gin up emotions that aren’t earned.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
The fragrance is sweet yet refined, never cloying or childish.
—Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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When the sun journeys through sentimental Cancer, there is a greater focus on home, family and emotional stability.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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This is Spielberg at his most pure and sensational, an undiluted cinematic experience that lacks any of his sentimental claptrap and steers clear of his tendency for multiple endings.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Our formulas are oxybenzone-free, water- and sweat-resistant, and designed lightweight unlike typical sport sunscreens that leave you feeling sticky or break down in the heat of competition.—
Dave Knox,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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But what really wowed us was how easily the sticky stuff washed away from the pan.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Despite climbing home prices, mortgage rates have recently reported weeks of declines and inventory is growing in many parts of the country, alleviating the shortage of homes and forcing sellers to slash prices to attract still-cautious buyers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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But aside from a desire for revenge against Israel and remaining the primary power broker in Gaza, Hamas has consistently struggled to articulate an achievable long-term strategy for alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.—
Mkhaimar Abusada,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Crystal Skull is easily Spielberg’s laziest, sloppiest work — even the action sequences seem phoned-in — and it’s filled with unforgivable howlers: Shia LaBeouf’s limp attempt at being a bad boy, Cate Blanchett’s hammy villain, the goddamn fridge scene.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
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The Cardinals took full advantage of the sloppy inning, scoring five runs on the way to clobbering the Sox 12-2 in front of 16,974 at Rate Field.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Archway Homes will buy the home and make the repairs needed, relieving the sellers of the hassle and expense.—
Archway Homes,
Kansas City Star,
5 Jan. 2025
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Xylitol may have other health benefits, including preventing ear and sinus infections, increasing bone density, and relieving constipation.—
Adrienne Dellwo,
Verywell Health,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There is always the wide-brim sun hat, which brings a real level of drama and panache to every occasion—and can be subverted from its saccharine ways—just look at how Alessandro Michele paired his at Valentino with a pair of groovy trousers and an opulent cropped jacket on the runway.—
Laia Garcia-Furtado,
Vogue,
5 June 2025
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Despite that high percentage of rye, this bourbon reads as quite sweet on the palate—never saccharine, to be clear, but pleasantly so with notes of vanilla, flamed custard, maple, brown sugar, and milk and dark chocolate.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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