Synonyms for

Sentimental

Verb / ˌsentʌˈmentʌl / / ˌsenʌˈmentʌl / / ˌsentʌˈmenʌl / / ˌsenʌˈmenʌl / Another word for sentimental — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

feeling or showing a lot of emotions and love for someone or something from the past

Synonyms & similar words

soppy schmaltzy schmalzy maudlin mawkish bathetic hokey mushy soupy slushy drippy kitschy emotional nostalgic romantic affectionate loving tender warm fond touching heartfelt sappy mushy gooey schmaltzy cloying corny cheesy maudlin weepy tearful

Synonyms by register

Formal

mawkish cloying melodramatic overwrought

Informal

cheesy mushy corny sappy

Literary

pathos-laden tear-jerking heartfelt

Antonyms

rational logical unsentimental stoic dispassionate unemotional practical

Common collocations

  • sentimental value
  • sentimental journey
  • sentimental person
  • sentimental attachment
  • sentimental fool
  • sentimental rubbish
  • sentimental reasons

Word family

noun sentimentality
adjective sentimental
adverb sentimentally

Usage note

Often used to describe excessive or unseemly emotion, particularly nostalgia or tenderness. Can sometimes carry a negative connotation of being overly emotional or unrealistic.

Example sentences

  1. She felt sentimental looking at her old photo album.
  2. He gave her a sentimental gift for their anniversary.
  3. The movie was so sentimental that it made her cry.
  4. She had a sentimental attachment to her childhood home.
  5. The song brought back sentimental memories of her first love.

Quotes

  • "The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we've made along the way." - Unknown
  • "Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days." - Doug Larson
  • "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." - Morrie Schwartz

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