˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

sentimentality

[ sen-tuh-men-tal-i-tee ]

noun

plural sentimentalities.
  1. the quality or state of being sentimental or excessively sentimental.
  2. an instance of being sentimental.
  3. a sentimental act, gesture, expression, etc.


sentimentality

/ ËŒ²õÉ›²Ô³Ùɪ³¾É›²Ôˈ³Ùæ±ôɪ³Ùɪ /

noun

  1. the state, quality, or an instance of being sentimental
  2. an act, statement, etc, that is sentimental
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other ˜yÐÄvlog Forms

  • ´Çv±ð°ù·²õ±ð²Ôt¾±Â·³¾±ð²Ô·³Ù²¹±ôi·³Ù²â noun
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of sentimentality1

First recorded in 1760–70; sentimental + -ity
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Perhaps most crucially, “Holy Cow†keeps its sights set on being a study in fast-tracked adulthood, minus judgment or sentimentality.

From

To Hyde’s credit, her script zags away from sentimentality as much as it zigs.

From

Thankfully, his previous experiences with wildfires left him well prepared, labeling some boxes to rescue in advance based on anything from sentimentality to value to a gut feeling that it was worth hauling off.

From

The “Paddington†movies are universally beloved for their upbeat outlook and sentimentality, yet they oppose the world they exist in.

From

The piano score can hit the sentimentality too hard.

From

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More About Sentimentality

What doesÌýsentimentality mean?

Sentimentality is the state or quality of being sentimental—expressing, appealing to, or being moved by sensitive or tender emotions, such as love, nostalgia, or pity.

Sentiment, sentimentality, and other related words (like sentimentalism, which can be used as a synonym of sentimentality) are based on the sense of the word sentiment that refers to sensitive or tender emotions, sensitivity to such emotions, or appeal to such emotions.

Such terms are especially used to imply that these emotions are exaggerated or overindulged. Sometimes, they imply that these emotions get in the way of thinking logically or being realistic.

In this way, sentimentality often means being overly sentimental.

People are sometimes criticized for sentimentality, as in Your sentimentality makes you see things through rose-colored glasses, instead of seeing what they’re really like.ÌýÌý

These kinds of criticisms are especially common in the context of art. For example, a book or film may be criticized for its sentimentality in dealing with a historical event. This implies that it portrays the event in an idealized, simplistic, or nostalgic way instead of depicting it accurately and dealing with what really happened.

Such works might also be described as melodramatic. When they’re tearfully or weakly emotional, they might be described as maudlin, mawkish, sappy, or weepy. Hallmark holiday movies are known for their sentimentality.

Example: His sentimentality is what makes him keep all of his childhood toys.

Where doesÌýsentimentality come from?

The first records of the word sentimentality come from around 1770. The word sentimental is first recorded only slightly earlier, in the mid-1700s. The word sentiment is first recorded in the 1300s and comes from the Latin verb ²õ±ð²Ô³ÙÄ«(°ù±ð), meaning “to feel.†The suffix -ity indicates state or condition and is used to form abstract nouns.

Books and movies based on sentimentality are intended to make you feel all the feels—to have an emotional impact, especially one that makes you cry. Sometimes, though, this kind of sentimentality comes at the expense of a realistic story or believable characters. When it’s done simply for emotional effect like this, it’s often called cheap sentimentality.

Still, sentimentality isn’t always viewed negatively. When a person exhibits sentimentality, it often means they are sensitive to their own emotions and to those of others. That focus on feelings like tenderness might mean they express love very openly.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to sentimentality?

What are some synonyms for sentimentality?

What are some words that share a root or word element with sentimentality?Ìý

What are some words that often get used in discussing sentimentality?

How isÌýsentimentality used in real life?

Sentimentality often refers to a quality of people and works of art. In the context of art, it’s often used in criticisms of works that are considered overly sentimental.

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Try usingÌýsentimentality!

Which of the following words would NOT be used to describe something considered an example of sentimentality?

A. realistic
B. maudlin
C. cloying
D. sappy

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