sentimentality
noun
sen·ti·men·tal·i·ty
ˌsen-tə-ˌmen-ˈta-lə-tē 
-mən-
plural sentimentalities
1
: the quality or state of being sentimental especially to excess or in affectation
2
: a sentimental idea or its expression
Synonyms
Examples of sentimentality in a Sentence
the sentimentality of Romantic poetry
the sentimentality of the story of star-crossed lovers only made it even more popular with moviegoers
Recent Examples on the Web
Less steeped in sentimentality and vintage visuals, this take is instead flooded with bright, dazzling colors and tackles intimacy and interiority more directly while still staying true to the classic text.
—
Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Smart and sweeping in scope, The Lost City of Z is an absorbing epic about persistence and hope without resorting to cheap sentimentality.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 14 May 2024
There was a sentimentality to Karlie Kloss’s Swarovski flora, too, which evoked cherry blossoms.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 7 May 2024
Directed and co-written by Julio Quintana, The Long Game exploits easy sentimentality to gain political advantage.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024
Oh man, this might be one of my favorite episodes — just because of all the excitement, all the humor, all the different moments, the sentimentality, the new turns in Buck's relationship, all of it.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
After an 8-4 loss to the Cubs to begin the Giants’ Cactus League schedule, though, Melvin wasn’t interested in sentimentalities.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024
Judging by motifs of the past, some years the commercials are downright weird, while other eras the bulk focused on heart wrenching sentimentality.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
At a time when most scripted television specializes in moral preening—trafficking in sentimentality, pandering to liberal do-gooderism, leaving us feeling better about ourselves and the world—Weisberg’s shows put you through a merciless psychological and spiritual wringer.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Smart and sweeping in scope, The Lost City of Z is an absorbing epic about persistence and hope without resorting to cheap sentimentality.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 14 May 2024
There was a sentimentality to Karlie Kloss’s Swarovski flora, too, which evoked cherry blossoms.
—Nick Remsen, Vogue, 7 May 2024
Directed and co-written by Julio Quintana, The Long Game exploits easy sentimentality to gain political advantage.
—Armond White, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024
Oh man, this might be one of my favorite episodes — just because of all the excitement, all the humor, all the different moments, the sentimentality, the new turns in Buck's relationship, all of it.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
After an 8-4 loss to the Cubs to begin the Giants’ Cactus League schedule, though, Melvin wasn’t interested in sentimentalities.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024
Judging by motifs of the past, some years the commercials are downright weird, while other eras the bulk focused on heart wrenching sentimentality.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
At a time when most scripted television specializes in moral preening—trafficking in sentimentality, pandering to liberal do-gooderism, leaving us feeling better about ourselves and the world—Weisberg’s shows put you through a merciless psychological and spiritual wringer.
—Laura Kipnis, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sentimentality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sentimentality
Cite this Entry
“Sentimentality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentimentality. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sentimentality
noun
sen·ti·men·tal·i·ty
ˌsent-ə-ˌmen-ˈtal-ət-ē
-mən-
plural sentimentalities
1
: the quality or state of being sentimental and especially overly sentimental
2
: a sentimental idea or its expression
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