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
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Recent Examples of sentimental
There’s misperceived betrayals, a surprise pregnancy, sudden abandonment, a sentimental reconciliation, a fatal illness and a tearful farewell.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
His actions have distanced himself from that fanboy narrative — his roster construction technique tending toward risk-aversion to the exclusion of sentimental attachment to the franchise home run leader.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
One of Yun’s favorite touches is both sentimental and maximalist.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The reframe worked like a set of corrective lenses, sharpening sentimental mush into something with meaning and claws.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
His actions have distanced himself from that fanboy narrative — his roster construction technique tending toward risk-aversion to the exclusion of sentimental attachment to the franchise home run leader.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
One of Yun’s favorite touches is both sentimental and maximalist.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The reframe worked like a set of corrective lenses, sharpening sentimental mush into something with meaning and claws.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentimental
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
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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
-
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
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The book’s final section, comprising a reunion at a funeral, could have been mawkish but instead is moving … A riveting tale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The mawkish qualities of the story are out in full force — the whole thing is narrated by a now-aged Daniel, who relates this tragic tale to a gaggle of his grandkids — but Mike Tuviera’s flat direction fails to make use of what could have been a great visual and emotional canvas.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
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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Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
-
As the whole business dragged on, the atmosphere started to seem less like a game show and more like the late-night Jerry Lewis telethons of the 1970s, in which a tired but pumped Lewis alternately griped at the audience, broke into maudlin emotion, or jumped up to welcome a new guest.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 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
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Clark and Carol look on, a mixture of awe and exhaustion, as Floyd signs with this kid through his hands during another comically sappy pep talk.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Upon first spritz, the perfume bursts with caramel, coconut, and vanilla, balanced by fresh citrus to prevent it from becoming saccharine sweet.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
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Understanding that children, not adults, were the target demographic for these saccharine cereals, the company kicked colorful branding and advertising into high gear.—
Heather Bushman,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His posts, featuring his big blue eyes and fuzzy black spots, have garnered millions of views, with articles in major papers around the country and across the pond.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Use a spoon to scrape out any fibrous fuzzy hairs.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sentimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentimental. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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