as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a maudlin movie about a lovable tramp
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Recent Examples of maudlin
Conspicuously absent from Cherfilus-McCormick’s maudlin resignation statement was regret for misleading voters, or for leaving them unrepresented again while Congress faces some of the most fraught issues in our history.
—
Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
As the whole business dragged on, the atmosphere started to seem less like a game show and more like the late-night Jerry Lewis telethons of the 1970s, in which a tired but pumped Lewis alternately griped at the audience, broke into maudlin emotion, or jumped up to welcome a new guest.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
While such a scenario sounds potentially maudlin and manipulative, Lucero — who wrote the film from a personal place — never allows that to happen by making the characters complex and flawed, and laboring under real-life issues.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maudlin
Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
As the whole business dragged on, the atmosphere started to seem less like a game show and more like the late-night Jerry Lewis telethons of the 1970s, in which a tired but pumped Lewis alternately griped at the audience, broke into maudlin emotion, or jumped up to welcome a new guest.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
While such a scenario sounds potentially maudlin and manipulative, Lucero — who wrote the film from a personal place — never allows that to happen by making the characters complex and flawed, and laboring under real-life issues.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maudlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maudlin
Adjective
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From the runways of New York Bridal Fashion Week to the collections presented at Barcelona Bridal Week, crochet emerged as a key trend, speaking to brides’ growing desire to wear gowns with a sentimental touch made to last long after the wedding.—
Laura Tortora,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
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Looking back, so much of the show already feels like a dreamlike, sentimental memory of an entertainment world that may never have fully existed in the first place.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
His edges going backwards can be a little sloppy, but with some refinement and good coaching, there could be something there.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
The Rays had a chance for more as the Tigers continued their sloppy play.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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But when rains fall heavily between November and April, sticky clay soils make traveling around it tricky.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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One non-stick skillet for delicate foods (eggs, omelets, fish) and sticky batters (pancakes).—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maudlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maudlin. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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