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
Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Vanilla fragrances reign during the winter months but March and April present with some challenges for gourmand lovers as the note can feel heavy and cloying in warmer weather.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Pro tip: Mixing in a bit of salt to the pour brings out more of the fruit and spice notes and takes away some of the cloying sweetness, said Enright.
—Ryan Deto, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
But the effort is just what Bri needed in order to restore her faith in their relationship — by morning, with cloying smiles stamped on their faces, Bravo’s most inoffensive couple is back on track.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
The fragrance is sweet yet refined, never cloying or childish.
—Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Vanilla fragrances reign during the winter months but March and April present with some challenges for gourmand lovers as the note can feel heavy and cloying in warmer weather.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Pro tip: Mixing in a bit of salt to the pour brings out more of the fruit and spice notes and takes away some of the cloying sweetness, said Enright.
—Ryan Deto, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
But the effort is just what Bri needed in order to restore her faith in their relationship — by morning, with cloying smiles stamped on their faces, Bravo’s most inoffensive couple is back on track.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
-
On Monday, May 26, the celebrity chef, 65, shared a sentimental throwback picture of her late ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen, and her late mother, Nancy Bertinelli.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
26 May 2025
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In Amrum, Fatih Akin stages a sentimental conversation between himself and his mentor, the German director Hark Bohm.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The reviews and social conversation were becoming apparent that this had inserted itself into the culture in a really sticky way.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
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On my skin, the product feels a bit greasy and sticky, but again, much less so than DEET.—
Kristin Canning,
Wired News,
21 May 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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Los Alamitos tied the game in the third due to some sloppy defense from the Eagles.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
23 May 2025
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José had sent it as a freebie after Akasha complained about sloppy packaging on previous bark orders and threatened to switch to a new source in Peru.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
22 May 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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Critics saw in these sermons superficial, saccharine notes divorced from scripture.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
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When Herod enters, the music lurches between saccharine waltz episodes and spasms of Expressionistic anarchy—a fracturing of the lingua franca.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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