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

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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 Paxton recommends keeping special items like a special suit or dress, or other particular garments that hold strong memories—but not being excessively sentimental about the rest. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026 The name also has some sentimental meaning for Meghan, harkening back to a childhood nickname given to her by her mother Doria. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Gervais isn’t overtly sentimental in depicting Gus’ growing affection for his young, quite cutely drawn (her eyes are enormous) young charge; in fact, the story resolves on a fittingly bittersweet note for the overall tone. — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Rather than a sentimental image of maternal love and devotion, Cassatt depicts the sheer effort of remaining oneself within the consuming closeness of caring for one’s child. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 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
  • Detroit got a pair of first-half field goals from Jake Bates on a sloppy night for the offense.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Appeal rates also fell slightly, suggesting faster resolution wasn’t leading to sloppier decisions.
    — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloppy
Adjective
  • Use apple cider vinegar traps or sticky traps to catch adult gnats, and inspect plants before bringing them indoors.
    — Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Rising gas prices, sticky inflation and rising unemployment in the Black community threaten many small businesses that serve Black consumers.
    — Frank Holland, CNBC, 7 Aug. 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
  • Salinger, then seventy-six, seemed to think his assessment of his alma mater had been too saccharine.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • This perfume combines the quintessential summer fruit with tonka bean, florals, plum nectar, and apple blossom for a truly memorable, sweet but not overly saccharine finish.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of saccharine
Adjective
  • And even if the details around the record are a little fuzzy, that’s not really the point.
    — Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The details of how this all melds might be fuzzy, but the final product is not.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuzzy

Browse Nearby Words

sentiment
sentimental
sentimentalism
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Cite this Entry

“Sentimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentimental. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sentimental for Spanish Speakers

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