as in sentimentality
the state or quality of having an excess of tender feelings (as of love, nostalgia, or compassion)
prefers mindless action movies to the "mushiness" of romantic comedies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a mushy love story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soft
giving easily to the touch
mushy fruit that was obviously overripe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mushiness
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Leaves that yellow before dropping and soft, mushy stems are signs of overwatering.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mushiness
Noun
The best designs are mindful of factors like drainage to prevent mushiness and use materials that won’t cling to your soap (ceramic and silicone, for example).
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Make sure to check the berries regularly for signs of spoilage and discard any moldy or mushy berries.
—Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
Leaves that yellow before dropping and soft, mushy stems are signs of overwatering.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mushiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mushiness
Noun
-
Maybe her most important one is the raw sentimentality that pervades even seemingly vapid moments.—
E.R. Pulgar,
Pitchfork,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Those songs, with their tinniness and their sentimentality, still had a visceral pull.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Welsh has a distinct desire to stay away from sappy and sentimental, too tidy for such a messy story.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In April, don’t miss the rollout of Mother’s Day cards, from funny and quirky to sweet and sentimental.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Reaves’ soft-tissue injury usually carries a four-to-six-week recovery process.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Academy historically goes for sentimentalism.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
4 Oct. 2025
-
McBride is less interested in exploring another motivation for saving locks of hair: the particular sentimentalism that made people cherish the hair of loved ones, especially those who had died, or of honored forebears.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
As the smell intensified, Lina crossed to the front door of her apartment, undid the lock, and yanked the sticky door open.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
On immediate application, the product comfortably clings to lips without feeling sticky or heavy.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the Instagram carousel, Jenner could be seen wearing a striped bikini and a floppy straw hat in one image.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The dough is topped moderately so the sauce and toppings don’t make the crust soggy or floppy.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The watery consommé subsumed what few masa dumplings swam their lonesome swirls in the bowl, with cobs of corn left like derelict buoys in the sloppy orange miasma.—
Mike Sutter,
San Antonio Express-News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Every league has flaws, but the NBA stands out for how often blowouts, injuries, and sloppy play dominate the product.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Soft and spongy, this vibrant yellow cake is pleasantly sweet, with notes of fragrant lemon.—
Staff Author,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Their spongy, reddish bark can grow to 2 feet thick.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mushiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mushiness. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
