as in sloppy
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a sentimental story about unrequited love
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sentimental
There’s misperceived betrayals, a surprise pregnancy, sudden abandonment, a sentimental reconciliation, a fatal illness and a tearful farewell.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
His actions have distanced himself from that fanboy narrative — his roster construction technique tending toward risk-aversion to the exclusion of sentimental attachment to the franchise home run leader.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
One of Yun’s favorite touches is both sentimental and maximalist.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The reframe worked like a set of corrective lenses, sharpening sentimental mush into something with meaning and claws.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
His actions have distanced himself from that fanboy narrative — his roster construction technique tending toward risk-aversion to the exclusion of sentimental attachment to the franchise home run leader.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
One of Yun’s favorite touches is both sentimental and maximalist.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
The reframe worked like a set of corrective lenses, sharpening sentimental mush into something with meaning and claws.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sentimental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sentimental
Adjective
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But the Pistons were sloppy with the ball and careless overall in a 94-88 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday night, falling behind 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference series.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Wolves started out sloppy with nine first-quarter turnovers and finished with 25.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The worry looming over the economy Earlier this month, Dimon had also warned in his shareholder letter that the war in Iran risks oil and commodity price shocks that could keep inflation sticky and push interest rates higher than the market now expects.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Apollo chief economist Torsten Slok has warned the combination of tariffs, sticky inflation, and slowing growth can create a stagflation-like setup, one that would be hostile to both markets and consumers.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The book’s final section, comprising a reunion at a funeral, could have been mawkish but instead is moving … A riveting tale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
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The mawkish qualities of the story are out in full force — the whole thing is narrated by a now-aged Daniel, who relates this tragic tale to a gaggle of his grandkids — but Mike Tuviera’s flat direction fails to make use of what could have been a great visual and emotional canvas.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the way that Harrison looks to the Bible for models of relationships and drama, Cappa’s Haha, You Clowns looks to schmaltzy sitcoms and after school specials.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
18 Dec. 2025
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Its almost schmaltzy final notes are a brilliant companion to Coppola’s unforgettable ending.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But only Kehlani with her un-maudlin yearning could’ve fleshed it out.—
Alfred Soto,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Conspicuously absent from Cherfilus-McCormick’s maudlin resignation statement was regret for misleading voters, or for leaving them unrepresented again while Congress faces some of the most fraught issues in our history.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Maple Trees Maple trees are just as sappy as birch trees, so pruning them when the sap is running can be a messy situation.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The movie is simultaneously more depressing than the original and more saccharine, with a repellent amount of affection between characters who should know better.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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The symbol of the rainbow is saccharine, an easy metaphor, but who cares.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some were aware of it but have fuzzy memories.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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Kate topped the look off with a fuzzy white shrug.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sentimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sentimental. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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