SCHMALTZY Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

schmaltzy

adjective

Definition of schmaltzy

as in sentimental

appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way a schmaltzy television commercial featuring a photogenic, perfect family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 schmaltzy Albini doesn’t dress up those songs with any schmaltzy production or studio tricks. — David Harris, SPIN, 11 June 2026 In the way that Harrison looks to the Bible for models of relationships and drama, Cappa’s Haha, You Clowns looks to schmaltzy sitcoms and after school specials. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025 Its almost schmaltzy final notes are a brilliant companion to Coppola’s unforgettable ending. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025 This chicken was juicy, tenderly shreddable and doused in a schmaltzy sauce, an emulsion of chicken fat and stock, landing somewhere in between chicken gravy and milky oxtail broth. — Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for schmaltzy

Adjective

Heavy curtain up; the moaning of sentimental strings; lights rising on some wedges and rectangles of scenery, guys and girls, the guys practically naked save for bits and pieces of neo-Greek get-up.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Its bare bones prose and electrifying pictures preserve, honor and celebrate the people, places and ideas responsible for Rosales’ sentimental education.

— Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of sentimental

Adjective

The Irish overcame a sloppy first half Sunday night to roll past Wisconsin 41-13 in Green Bay.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
Early in the second half, Ipswich had a great chance to counter in a four-vs-four scenario, but Exequiel Palacios’ pass was sloppy and got easily cut out by Alexis Mac Allister.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of sloppy

Adjective

The latest data ramp up pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next week, a move that could lift mortgage and auto loan costs as core inflation proves sticky.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The pair are tasked with bringing public spending and borrowing under control, with sticky inflation, elevated government borrowing costs and lackluster economic growth adding to the urgency of balancing the books.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of sticky

Browse Nearby Words

schmaltz

schmaltzy

schmear

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Schmaltzy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/schmaltzy. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of schmaltzy

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quorum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes