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
Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device).
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 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
Mocha landed on the more cloying end and the Salted Caramel much more reminiscent of asking your barista to add just one or two flavor shots.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device).
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 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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Musk appeared sentimental upon the announcement that Tesla would wind down production of the vehicles.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
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Crushow Herring, the art director of the Sidewalk Project, said Raines was both sentimental and protective of the homeless community.—
Rebecca Boone,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even beyond the runtimes, there’s a strange, extratemporal feeling saturating this project.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
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The northern lights appeared to fill the entire sky, saturating the scene with vivid curtains of color dancing to the whims of Earth's magnetic field.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Add up to 1/4 cup remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed, if dough is too sticky.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
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Over the last few years, a mix of economic hurdles, like rapidly rising prices caused by sticky inflation, has helped to drive borrowers' reliance on credit cards upward and high average credit card rates have further propelled cardholders' balances upward.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Patient perspectives are core components of how benefits, harms, and proportionality are assessed, particularly for interventions aimed at alleviating suffering and improving quality of life.—
Amy Caruso Brown,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
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Picture a bunch of people descending in private jets to eat steak and appear on panels about alleviating poverty and fighting climate change (among other noble goals), while clinking cocktail glasses with other fellow rich people in an effort to make one another even richer.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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At times, Epstein characterized the billionaire’s office as sloppy and amateurish, exposing him to taxes and reputational risks while making sensitive payments.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Heat also ran into its own sloppy play, committing 19 turnovers.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Above those words was a video of a masked vandal adding a scatological element to the billboard, a suggestion that the first lady — ad shown in the ad — is relieving herself on an American flag.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
31 Jan. 2026
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Its hundreds of pressure points help stimulate circulation, relieving tension and loosening muscles.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This nail look deviates from the classic saccharine pinks associated with Valentine's Day and uses a cool-toned berry shade.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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Channel childhood nostalgia with this 100% cotton bed skirt, featuring a rosy stripe that’s sweet but not saccharine.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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