cloyingly sweet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cloyingly sweet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively sweet, often to the point of being unpleasant or overwhelming. Example: "The dessert was so cloyingly sweet that I could only take a few bites before feeling sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food descriptions

Taste reviews

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Conversely, most chutneys are cloyingly sweet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cloyingly sweet bread-and-butter pickles don't help.

The New York Times - Food

They are cloyingly sweet, but that's part of the experience.

The New York Times

The hot and sour glazed duck breast was cloyingly sweet.

The New York Times

Insipid in texture and cloyingly sweet, it is hardly inspirational.

The New York Times

I like hot, spiced, spiked cider too, but it can be cloyingly sweet.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's a very dense cake, and it's not too cloyingly sweet, which is nice".

The New York Times

The one edible dish is a glutinous, cloyingly sweet vegetable "curry".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Body lotions and perfumes, tolerable in the polluted cities, smell cloyingly sweet and artificial.

Forbes

When he sampled the top brands, he found most of it cloyingly sweet for his taste and felt he could do better.

Forbes

We'd try on logo tees, sit in the massage chairs at Sharper Image and sample the cloyingly sweet lotion at Bath & Body Works.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food, use "cloyingly sweet" to convey that the sweetness is overwhelming and potentially off-putting.

Common error

Avoid using "cloyingly sweet" to describe something you enjoyed. The term generally carries a negative connotation, suggesting the sweetness was excessive and unpleasant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cloyingly sweet" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies nouns, typically related to food, drinks, or scents, to indicate an excess of sweetness that is often perceived negatively. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its standard grammar usage marks it as a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Food descriptions

25%

Taste reviews

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cloyingly sweet" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an excessive and often unpleasant level of sweetness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is correct and usable. Its primary function is descriptive, adding a negative connotation to the sweetness being described. It is frequently found in News & Media, especially within food descriptions and taste reviews. While the phrase is versatile, it's best used to express a negative sentiment about the intensity of sweetness. Alternatives such as "excessively sweet" or "sickly sweet" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively sweet

Directly indicates a level of sweetness beyond what is pleasant.

sickly sweet

Implies a sweetness that is nauseating or unappealing.

overbearingly sweet

Suggests the sweetness is so strong it dominates other flavors.

too sugary

A more straightforward way of saying something has too much sugar.

intensely sweet

Highlights the high intensity of the sweetness.

overly saccharine

Uses a more formal term to describe excessive sweetness, often artificial.

honeyed to excess

Indicates too much honey was used, resulting in an unpleasant sweetness.

heavily sweetened

Emphasizes the large amount of sweetener used.

sugar-laden

Suggests an unhealthful amount of sugar.

sweet to a fault

Expresses that the sweetness detracts from the overall quality.

FAQs

How can I use "cloyingly sweet" in a sentence?

"Cloyingly sweet" is typically used to describe food or drinks where the sweetness is overwhelming and unpleasant. For example, "The dessert was so "cloyingly sweet" that I could only manage a few bites."

What can I say instead of "cloyingly sweet"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives to "cloyingly sweet" include "excessively sweet", "sickly sweet", or "overbearingly sweet".

Is it appropriate to use "cloyingly sweet" to describe something positive?

Generally, no. "Cloyingly sweet" has a negative connotation, suggesting that the sweetness is overwhelming and undesirable. It's best to use it when you want to express that something is too sweet.

What's the difference between "sweet" and "cloyingly sweet"?

"Sweet" is a general term for a pleasant taste sensation. "Cloyingly sweet" indicates that the sweetness is excessive, to the point of being unpleasant or sickening. It implies a negative experience due to the intensity of the sweetness.