SENTIMENTALITY Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

sentimentality

noun

ˌsen-tə-ˌmen-ˈta-lə-tē

as in sentimentalism

the state or quality of having an excess of tender feelings (as of love, nostalgia, or compassion) the sentimentality of the story of star-crossed lovers only made it even more popular with moviegoers

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 sentimentality Buckley navigates the film in elemental sorrow without sentimentality, delivering what many consider the performance of the year, and undoubtedly her career so far. —

Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026 As expected, there was precisely zero sentimentality from Quick, who was the Conn Smythe winner during the Kings’ first Stanley Cup title run in 2012 and their starting goalie for their second in 2014 as well. —

Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026 John, who plays Mickey’s father in the film, described watching Zelda and Toby inhabit such fraught roles without sentimentality. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Jan. 2026 Choose honesty over sentimentality. —

Usa Today, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sentimentality

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentimentality

sentimentalism

Noun

The Academy historically goes for sentimentalism.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
McBride is less interested in exploring another motivation for saving locks of hair: the particular sentimentalism that made people cherish the hair of loved ones, especially those who had died, or of honored forebears.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025