as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a maudlin movie about a lovable tramp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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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The late monarch acquired an impressive jewelry collection over the course of her 70-year reign, from the record-setting Cullinan diamond brooches to the sentimental King George VI Victorian Sapphire Suite.
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Air Jordan 1 releases, which are expected to seriously slow down in volume next year, are getting especially sentimental this summer.
Adjective
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Winning like a Feeney Due to some sloppy defensive errors from the silver-haired infield, the Feeneys allowed more runs in the top of the seventh.
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The Walpole, Massachusetts native, making his second career start at Fenway Park in front of family and friends, surrendered a two-run, go-ahead homer to ex-Yankees prospect Caleb Durbin in the fifth inning of what was a sloppy, 6-3, loss for the Bombers.
Adjective
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The shiny, non-sticky formula is infused with a hyaluronic acid complex, mango seed butter, and fruit extracts to keep lips feeling comfortable.
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Use yellow sticky traps to monitor.
Cite this Entry
“Maudlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maudlin. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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