Sentimental: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used when discussing strong feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia. It can be positive or negative depending on the situation.

• She kept all her grandmother's letters for sentimental reasons.
• The movie was too sentimental for my taste.

Use this word to describe anything involving strong feelings. It is a broad term that can refer to anything from joy to sorrow.

• It was an emotional speech that moved everyone to tears.
• He was feeling very emotional after hearing the news.

This word is used when looking back at the past with fondness and longing. It signifies a mix of happy and sad emotions.

• Listening to old songs often makes me feel nostalgic.
• She felt nostalgic when she visited her childhood home.

This word has a negative connotation and is often used to describe something that is overly sentimental and cheesy.

• The movie was too sappy and predictable.
• I can't stand those sappy love songs.

This word is used to describe someone who is easily upset or sensitive. It can also refer to a delicate or sensitive subject.

• Be careful what you say; he's very touchy about his past.
• The topic of politics is quite touchy these days.

This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe something that is overly sentimental to the point of being sickening or nauseating.

• The novel was criticized for its mawkish sentimentality.
• Her mawkish display of affection made everyone uncomfortable.

Used when referring to feelings of nostalgia or tenderness. It can be positive, indicating genuine emotions, or slightly negative if seen as excessive.

• She kept all his old letters for sentimental reasons
• The movie had a sentimental tone that touched many hearts

Often employed to describe someone who is tearfully sentimental in a self-pitying or overly emotional way, usually in a negative context.

• He became maudlin after a few drinks, reminiscing about his past
• The story became maudlin towards the end, with characters crying excessively

Best used to describe something overly sweet or excessively sentimental to the point of being distasteful. Often has a negative connotation.

• The dessert was too cloying for my taste
• Their cloying display of affection made everyone uncomfortable

Describes something overly sweet or sentimental, often with an insincere tone. This term has a negative connotation.

• The movie had a saccharine ending that didn’t feel authentic
• Her saccharine smile made it clear she wasn’t being genuine

Used when someone displays emotions in an exaggerated or uncontrolled manner. Typically carries a negative implication.

• She became overemotional during the meeting, making it hard for her to stay professional
• His overemotional reaction surprised everyone

Refers to something excessively sentimental or cheesy, often in a way that seems insincere or cheaply emotional. Carries a negative connotation.

• The play was so schmaltzy that many people walked out
• His schmaltzy speech didn’t impress the audience