Sentimentality: meaning, definitions and examples

😢

Add to dictionary

sentimentality

[ˌsɛntɪmɛnˈtælɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

expressing emotions

Sentimentality is the quality of being excessively sentimental or emotional, especially in a way that seems insincere.

Synonyms

emotionalism, mawkishness, schmaltz.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sentimentality	Sentimentality is often used to describe a situation or behavior where emotions, especially tender feelings, are expressed in an exaggerated or overly emotional way. It can be used positively or negatively depending on the context. Mary's sentimentality made her cry during every romantic movie The book's sentimentality resonated deeply with its readers
mawkishness	Mawkishness is used to describe an excessive or insincere display of emotion that can be annoying or cloying. It often implies that the emotion is overdone to the point of being sickening. This term has a negative connotation. The movie was filled with mawkishness that drove many viewers away His mawkishness when talking about his pet made everyone uncomfortable
emotionalism	Emotionalism refers to a tendency to display emotions openly and strongly. It is often used in contexts where emotions are expressed excessively and may influence decisions or behavior. This term can carry a slightly negative connotation as it suggests a lack of control over one's emotions. During the debate, his emotionalism got the better of him, leading to a passionate but incoherent argument Her emotionalism was evident during her speech, as she frequently choked up and teared
schmaltz	Schmaltz refers to exaggerated sentimentalism in art or entertainment, particularly when it is overly sweet or emotional. This term is often used in a negative or humorous way. The TV show was full of schmaltz, with over-the-top emotional scenes Her novel was criticized for its schmaltz, with one reviewer calling it a tear-jerking cliche

Examples of usage

His speech was full of sentimentality, but lacked any real depth.
She was accused of using sentimentality to manipulate others.
The movie was criticized for its sentimentality, as it tried too hard to evoke emotions.
The author's writing style is often criticized for its sentimentality.
Her sentimental nature often leads her to make irrational decisions.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

nostalgia

Sentimentality can also refer to a nostalgic or emotional attachment to the past, especially in a way that is considered excessive or exaggerated.

Synonyms

emotional attachment, nostalgia, sentimentalism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sentimentality	Used when describing excessive or exaggerated emotions, often in a way that could be seen as overly dramatic or lacking in depth. Her speech was filled with sentimentality that made it hard to take her seriously
nostalgia	Used to describe a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, often for a time or place with happy personal associations. He felt a wave of nostalgia when he found his old high school yearbook
emotional attachment	Refers to a deep, personal bond or fondness for someone or something, typically based on experiences and interactions. She has a strong emotional attachment to her childhood home
sentimentalism	Describes the tendency to base actions and decisions on emotions rather than reason, often used in a critical or negative sense. Her decisions are often clouded by sentimentalism, leading to impractical outcomes

Examples of usage

He couldn't help but feel a sense of sentimentality when he visited his childhood home.
The sentimental journey through old photographs brought tears to her eyes.
His sentimentality for the good old days often clouds his judgment of the present.
The sentimental value of the heirloom made it priceless to her.
The film evoked a strong sense of sentimentality for the viewers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the French 'sentiment,' meaning 'feeling,' blended with the suffix ‘-ality’ indicating a quality.
It was first used in English in the early 19th century, when the idea of expressing emotions became more popular in literature.

Literature

Romantic authors, like Wordsworth and Coleridge, often emphasized sentimentality in their poetry to evoke strong emotions.
Charles Dickens is known for using sentimentality in his novels, aiming to stir compassion and empathy from readers.

Psychology

Research suggests that sentimentality can influence memory, making nostalgic or emotional experiences more vivid.
People with high levels of sentimentality may experience increased happiness due to their strong emotional connections to memories.

Pop Culture

Sentimentality is prevalent in movies and songs, often used to create emotional climaxes in romantic comedies or dramatic films.
Disney films often employ sentimentality to forge connections with audiences, using nostalgic themes and heartwarming moments.

Philosophy

Philosophers like David Hume discussed sentimentality in relation to ethics, suggesting that feelings can guide moral reasoning.
Contemporary discussions in ethics debate whether sentimentality can overshadow rational decision-making in moral dilemmas.

Translations

Translations of the word "sentimentality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sentimentalidade

🇮🇳 भावुकता

🇩🇪 Sentimentalität

🇮🇩 sentimentalisme

🇺🇦 сентиментальність

🇵🇱 sentymentalność

🇯🇵 感傷的

🇫🇷 sentimentalité

🇪🇸 sentimentalismo

🇹🇷 duygusallık

🇰🇷 감상적임

🇸🇦 العاطفية

🇨🇿 sentimentalita

🇸🇰 sentimentalita

🇨🇳 感伤

🇸🇮 sentimentalnost

🇮🇸 tilfinningasemi

🇰🇿 сентименталдық

🇬🇪 სენტიმენტალური

🇦🇿 sentimentalizm

🇲🇽 sentimentalismo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,561, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
19558 wanderer
19559 chagrin
19560 hindering
19561 sentimentality
19562 uncovering
19563 phospholipid
19564 exuberance
...