sentimental

adjective

ˌsen-tə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce sentimental (audio)
Definition of sentimentalnext
as in sloppy
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way a sentimental story about unrequited love

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 sentimental As per other members of the British royal family, Queen Camilla often wears those sentimental pieces during special occasions as a way to pay homage to the long-reigning British monarch. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 July 2026 England, given the potential of ending the 60 years of futility, was a sentimental favorite to emerge from the final four powers at this World Cup, which also included Argentina (who last won in 2022), France (2018) and Spain (2010). — Sean Gregory, Time, 15 July 2026 Kate also wore the bracelet to Wimbledon in early July and to a visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital—no doubt the most sentimental addition to her bracelet stack. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 13 July 2026 There’s too much family trauma to make this a sentimental reunion. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentimental
  1. sloppy
  2. sticky
  3. mawkish
  4. schmaltzy
  5. maudlin
  6. sappy
  7. saccharine
  8. fuzzy
Adjective
  • Between snot, sloppy kisses, spit up, poop and grabby little hands, there are plenty of other pathways by which a lactating parent’s body could get information about what antibodies to put on the menu.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 29 July 2026
  • Just barely sloppy enough for the Court of Appeals to conclude that the mere recital that the interests were held in TBE was not enough.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • Brand New Day isn’t too tangled up in the sticky, intricate web of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but casual viewers could miss some context—here’s what to know before watching.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • His emotions — and that sticky goo in his wrists — are about to burst.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • Its direction is stodgy and unimpressive, and its screenplay stilted and mawkish.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
  • The sounds are chintzy and soaked in reverb, like a mawkish ’80s ballad rewritten from memory, and the whole thing slowly falls apart and fades out like an old track by the Field.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026
Definition of mawkish
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of schmaltzy
Adjective
  • Except that’s precisely what awards shows are terrible at — those hammy yuk-yuk sketches, or weepy maudlin moments, that struggle to celebrate the industry by interlacing the show with a theatrical insert.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • That’s when the movie takes a direction that’s both maudlin in the true sense of the word and ultimately even sanctimonious regarding the heroine’s sudden redemption.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Definition of maudlin
Adjective
  • The bicentennial was the moment of nostalgic gluttony that topped them all, with its reenactment of battles, its old-fashioned sailing ships, and its outpouring of sappy patriotic products printed with the magic numerals 76.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • The announcement may come as a shock for country fans who have followed the couple through their sappy podcast appearances and gushy acceptance speeches.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Definition of sappy
Adjective
  • Overdo it, and your recipe becomes too saccharine.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 June 2026
  • With a minimal, yet still impactful, pastel floral design, the rug hedges its saccharine design with ample negative space.
    — Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026
Definition of saccharine
Adjective
  • Nearly a month after they were born, the Kansas City Zoo is welcoming two new fuzzy additions to its Tiger Trail area.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
  • When requirements are fuzzy, agents produce fuzzy output—just at much higher speed and volume.
    — Vaibhav Gujral, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of fuzzy

Browse Nearby Words

sentiment
sentimental
sentimentalism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sentimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentimental. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sentimental

Nglish: Translation of sentimental for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of highfalutin

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All