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Cloying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cloying

[ˈklɔɪɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Disgust or sicken (someone) with an excess of sweetness, richness, or sentiment.

Synonyms

nauseating, overly sentimental, sickly sweet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cloying

Used when something excessively sweet, rich, or sentimental becomes unpleasant or overwhelming.

  • The cloying smell of perfume filled the room, making it hard to breathe.
  • Her cloying compliments felt insincere and over the top.
sickly sweet

Describes something that is so sweet or sentimental it becomes unpleasant or unsettling.

  • The sickly sweet taste of the dessert was too much to handle.
  • Her sickly sweet voice struck everyone as quite artificial.
overly sentimental

Appropriate for situations where emotions are expressed in an exaggerated or excessive manner, often in a way that feels insincere or overly dramatic.

  • The speech was overly sentimental and didn't feel genuine.
  • His overly sentimental reaction to the movie made some people uncomfortable.
nauseating

Used to describe something that causes a feeling of disgust or makes you want to vomit.

  • The nauseating smell of rotten food made everyone leave the room.
  • The movie scenes were so gruesome that they were downright nauseating.

Examples of usage

  • The cloying sweetness of the dessert made her feel nauseous.
  • The cloying sentimentality of the movie left him feeling uncomfortable.
Context #2 | Adjective

taste

Excessively sweet or sentimental.

Synonyms

overpowering, saccharine, sickening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cloying

Used to describe something that is excessively sweet or sentimental, in a way that becomes unpleasant and overwhelming.

  • The cloying smell of the overly sweet candles was too much for me.
  • Her cloying affection made him feel uncomfortable.
saccharine

Used to describe something that is artificially sweet, both in taste and sentiment, often used with a negative connotation.

  • The movie was filled with saccharine scenes that felt unrealistic.
  • Her saccharine smile was obviously fake.
overpowering

Applies to something that is so strong or intense that it overwhelms the senses or emotions. Can be used negatively or positively.

  • The scent of the flowers was overpowering, making it hard to breathe.
  • His overpowering presence filled the room.
sickening

Describes something that causes nausea or an extremely unpleasant feeling, generally used negatively.

  • The sickening smell of rotten food made me want to vomit.
  • The sight of the accident was truly sickening.

Examples of usage

  • The cloying taste of the syrup was overwhelming.
  • The cloying aroma of the flowers filled the room.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Context

  • In cooking, cloying flavors can arise from using too much sugar or cream, masking the balance of other flavors in a dish.
  • Many desserts, especially those with marshmallows or rich syrups, can be described as cloying if they overwhelm the palate.
  • Chefs often aim for harmony in their meals, understanding that a cloying dish can turn diners off rather than delight them.

Psychology

  • Cloying sentiments in media or literature can evoke strong emotional reactions but can also lead to viewer fatigue if overdone.
  • Psychologists suggest that excessive sentimentality might trigger negative feelings in some people, leading to emotional detachment.
  • In relationships, overly sentimental gestures can sometimes be perceived as insincere or manipulative, impacting genuine emotion.

Literature

  • Writers sometimes use cloying descriptions to enhance irony or critique overly romanticized ideals in their works.
  • Classic literature often contrasts cloying sweetness with harsh realities, emphasizing character growth or moral lessons.
  • Poets may employ cloying imagery to evoke intense emotions, but this must be balanced to avoid losing authenticity.

Pop Culture

  • Romantic comedies often risk becoming cloying when they rely too heavily on unrealistic, overly sweet interactions between characters.
  • Certain pop songs can be seen as cloyingly sweet, increasing their popularity among fans but causing criticism from others.
  • In fashion, cloying trends may emerge, where styles become excessively frilly or pastel, losing their original charm.

Origin of 'cloying'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'cloer,' meaning to 'to spoil' or 'satiate,' capturing the essence of excess.
  • It was first used in English in the 17th century, when writers began to describe excessive sweetness in food and feeling.
  • Originally, it was often used in a culinary context to describe overly sweet dishes, but its use has expanded to describe emotions and situations.

The word 'cloying' originated from the Middle English word 'cloien', which means to hinder or clog. Over time, it evolved to represent the feeling of being sickened by excessive sweetness or sentiment. The concept of cloying has been present in literature and art for centuries, often used to evoke a sense of discomfort or unease.

See also: cloy.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,275 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.