as in sloppy
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a sentimental story about unrequited love
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sentimental
The brand and its Massachusetts origins are inextricable—the matte white bags are sentimental fixtures of the state and New England at large.
—
Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026
For an extra sentimental touch, try making pieces for each other and swapping them once they’re finished.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Her Fort Worth home is filled with secondhand finds — as well as sentimental pieces acquired from family, friends and even neighbors.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
The low-fi practical effects and erotic hijinks hit just the right tone of silly and sentimental.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026
For an extra sentimental touch, try making pieces for each other and swapping them once they’re finished.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
Her Fort Worth home is filled with secondhand finds — as well as sentimental pieces acquired from family, friends and even neighbors.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
The low-fi practical effects and erotic hijinks hit just the right tone of silly and sentimental.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentimental
Adjective
-
In a women’s semifinal, Slovak Marianna Jagercikova got snow stuck in the bindings of her ski boots, causing a sloppy transition, which ended her chances of advancing to the final.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Drop shoulders and a high-low hemline keep the top relaxed, while the classic wide-leg pants offer pajama-like comfort without looking sloppy.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Neighbor disputes can be sticky, and the one between Fort Worth, Aledo and Willow Park is no exception.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Even with regular cleaning, the grids on a waffle maker will develop an oily, sticky residue after a period of time.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Knight’s directorial debut never tips over into mawkish but has some unashamedly tender moments.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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After a mawkish beginning, the play somewhat redeems itself through earned emotions and an ambiguous ending that begs discussion.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Its almost schmaltzy final notes are a brilliant companion to Coppola’s unforgettable ending.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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He’s also invested his protagonist with a self-deprecating sense of humor that keeps his pessimism from veering into maudlin territory.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Dec. 2025
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His inability to make hard decisions or abstain from becoming a maudlin, clingy drunk had transformed me from his girlfriend and lover into his mother and disciplinarian.—
Julia Ioffe,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The duet is unabashedly sappy, its lyrics full of period-perfect, flowery Medieval revivalism tropes.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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That’s sappy but sweet stuff, arriving at a time when so much of the human project seems bent toward cruelty and annihilation.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Think fluffier and airier, less nauseatingly saccharine sweet.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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This nail look deviates from the classic saccharine pinks associated with Valentine's Day and uses a cool-toned berry shade.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Whether his name conjures fuzzy memories of drifting off to the quiet soundtrack of television static and a parent’s laughter, or brings to mind tuning in to hear his take on the news after a long work day, many remember Carson as a nightly ritual.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
18 Feb. 2026
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As the coverage increases to about 80%, shadows on the ground begin to sharpen and lose their fuzzy edges, the light around you dims, and shadows start to look curved, Young explained.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sentimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentimental. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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