as in sickening
overly or insincerely flattering
a gushy review of a novel by an author who just happened to be a friend of the critic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gushy
There’s no better time to embrace the mushy gushy than in the first few moments after winning gold medals together.
—
Meg Linehan, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
To that end, yes, honeymoon phases are gushy (and self-absorbed).
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 19 June 2024
Anything to keep those gushy feelings on repeat in your body!
—Carina Hsieh, SELF, 30 Jan. 2024
The movie falters here and there, lapsing into sentimentality—with accompanying gushy music—during a wedding scene, and that in-person confrontation between Monk and Sintara happens only because Jefferson has overcomplicated the story’s plot.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gushy
Meg Linehan, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
To that end, yes, honeymoon phases are gushy (and self-absorbed).
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 19 June 2024
Anything to keep those gushy feelings on repeat in your body!
—Carina Hsieh, SELF, 30 Jan. 2024
The movie falters here and there, lapsing into sentimentality—with accompanying gushy music—during a wedding scene, and that in-person confrontation between Monk and Sintara happens only because Jefferson has overcomplicated the story’s plot.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gushy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gushy
Adjective
-
Andi's heart gave a single, sickening jolt that emptied her lungs.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In a sickening moment broadcast live after Boyes’s shot missed, Long moved quickly about, shooting many hostages.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wash them well in hot, soapy water and then dip them in one gallon of cool water and one tablespoon of regular, unscented bleach.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
25 Apr. 2026
-
After taking care to wash down and sanitize any surfaces used to rinse the ribs or surfaces near the rinsing area, wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hot water is especially helpful for greasy pans, oily dishes, or anything with hardened food residue.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
-
One of Glow Recipe’s original bestsellers, this oil-free moisturizer uses watermelon extract and plenty of antioxidants in a lightweight gel great for daily use by those with oily skin.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But all the myth and sorrow around the dynasty mean many takes tilt hagiographic.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Gracious Visionary is a rather hagiographic film title for one’s life and work.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Salting too far in advance (or worse, mixing salt into the patties) will draw moisture to the surface, rendering the meat bouncy rather than unctuous.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
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Ella Stiller arrives as Patience, Valerie’s social-media guru, Jack O’Brien sweetly plays her new hairdresser, and Andrew Scott, doing the most to eradicate any lingering Hot Priest vibes, plays a wildly unctuous NuNet executive.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Besides being a record of events, the work is a crafty portrayal of kingship, presenting Akbar in an adulatory tone, as an exemplary and divinely favored ruler.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Reggie’s solution is to hire Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe), an Oscar-winning documentarian, to make an adulatory film about him, changing public perception and opening new doors.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
No signs or demonstrative materials are allowed.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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When Vanderbilt became demonstrative, Austin Reaves — who didn't play due to injury — stepped between his teammate and the head coach, along with assistant coach Nate McMillan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His widow doesn’t exactly look too broken up; less than a week after his death, Lee spots her snuggling with Dale’s brother Donald, an oleaginous candidate for governor played by Kyle MacLachlan.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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One defense, beginning in the late eighteen-hundreds, was flypaper, sheets of which were coated on one side with an oleaginous substance that lured flies, then permanently trapped them.—
David Owen,
The New Yorker,
27 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Gushy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gushy. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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