Treacliest: meaning, definitions and examples

🍬
Add to dictionary

treacliest

 

[ ˈtrēkleɪst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing a person

Treacliest refers to someone who is overly sweet or sentimental in their behavior or demeanor. It often carries a connotation of being insincere or excessively flattering. This term can be used to describe actions, speech, or even writing that is deemed overly sugary, to the point of being cloying. The term is often used in a dismissive manner to criticize someone for being disingenuous in their kindness or affection.

Synonyms

cloying, maudlin, saccharine, sentimental, syrupy.

Examples of usage

  • Her treacliest comments made it hard to tell if she was genuine.
  • He delivered his treacliest speech during the award ceremony.
  • The movie was filled with treacliest moments that felt unrealistic.

Translations

Translations of the word "treacliest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 мелодійний

🇮🇳 मीठा

🇩🇪 süß

🇮🇩 manis

🇺🇦 солодкий

🇵🇱 słodki

🇯🇵 甘い

🇫🇷 sucré

🇪🇸 dulce

🇹🇷 tatlı

🇰🇷 달콤한

🇸🇦 حلو

🇨🇿 sladký

🇸🇰 sladký

🇨🇳 甜的

🇸🇮 sladek

🇮🇸 sætur

🇰🇿 тәтті

🇬🇪 ტკბილი

🇦🇿 şirin

🇲🇽 dulce

Etymology

The term 'treacliest' derives from the word 'treacly', which itself comes from 'treacle', an old English word for a thick syrup made from sugar. Historically, treacle has been used as a medicinal remedy, which contributed to its association with sweetness. In the 19th century, 'treacly' began to gain figurative meaning, describing not just the literal sweetness of the syrup but also metaphorically referring to a sentiment that is overly sugary or sentimental. Over time, the use of 'treacliest' as a superlative form came into play to emphasize the extreme nature of this sweetness or sentimentalism. The evolution of the word reflects both the literal and metaphorical layers of sweetness in language and behavior.