as in sentimentality
the state or quality of having an excess of tender feelings (as of love, nostalgia, or compassion)
the tearful sloppiness that you find in so many country-and-western songs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sloppiness
Arne Slot, his side undermined by profligacy at one end and sloppiness at the other, had endured a first home defeat in the Premier League for 400 days courtesy of Harry Maguire’s late winner.
—
Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Players and coaches downplayed the difference between playing in the United States and England, despite the typically sloppiness of European games and the Jaguars’ familiarity with this routine with annual trips to the United Kingdom.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
And there was more sloppiness from the Bruins.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Even as the offense moved the ball downfield, there was more sloppiness from Buffalo, which had a false start on the drive and two declined penalties on the decisive third down.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
Jakob Marsee scored the tiebreaking run on an error and the Miami Marlins took advantage of sloppiness by the host New York Mets to earn a 7-4 win in the opener of a four-game series between the National League East rivals on Thursday.
—Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Players and coaches downplayed the difference between playing in the United States and England, despite the typically sloppiness of European games and the Jaguars’ familiarity with this routine with annual trips to the United Kingdom.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
And there was more sloppiness from the Bruins.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Even as the offense moved the ball downfield, there was more sloppiness from Buffalo, which had a false start on the drive and two declined penalties on the decisive third down.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
Jakob Marsee scored the tiebreaking run on an error and the Miami Marlins took advantage of sloppiness by the host New York Mets to earn a 7-4 win in the opener of a four-game series between the National League East rivals on Thursday.
—Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sloppiness
Noun
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The video production is lush, the sentimentality laid on thick — this is a movie that’s far more interested in playing familiar notes about how cinema is magical and storytelling is vital for the already converted than taking a critical look at its subjects.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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Richard’s account would probably differ and have more to do with Lorenz’s alcoholism, depression, erratic work habits, and aversion to sentimentality.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Academy historically goes for sentimentalism.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
4 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Sloppiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sloppiness. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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