excessively sentimental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively sentimental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is overly emotional or nostalgic, often to the point of being unrealistic or cloying. Example: "The movie was criticized for being excessively sentimental, relying too much on tear-jerking moments to engage the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It means excessively sentimental.

The New York Times - Magazine

On the other, according to the excessively sentimental and purple television star, Barney, "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family".

The New York Times

Sites such as Shaun Usher's delightful (and self-explanatory) Letters of Note, or the excessively sentimental More Love Letters, where participants "bless" strangers with affectionate messages, and a score of others; they are all well-visited evidence that we like other people's letters and the voyeuristic insight they seem to bring, almost as much as we like getting them ourselves.

Independent

Nevertheless her straightforward, style, unadorned except in parody, is admired by Rachel Cooke, who praises her as "a sworn enemy of the flatulent, the pompous and the excessively sentimental".

Wikipedia

A half-dozen Yuletide originals display at least the intent of ambition, even though out of the gate the lightly swinging "Ain't Santa Cool" comes off like a bargain basement rewrite of the Beach Boys' classic "Little Saint Nick". Lead singer Randy Owen's "First Christmas Without Daddy" will surely touch some hearts, although others may find it excessively sentimental.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Too sentimental?

The Washington Post

Don't be too sentimental.

WikiHow

"So not excessively excessive.

The New York Times

& lit).. W. Ransome Dilemmaactoror suffers: excessively theatrical or crudely sentimental?

The Guardian

In the UK the word became "chiefly derogatory" according to OED, meaning "excessively affected, quaint or sentimental", and has since been reclaimed and redefined in the US by the indie-music scene.

BBC

Critics have feared this would be a sentimental film that is indulging the emotions excessively.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessively sentimental", consider if a more direct adjective might be more impactful. While it conveys the idea clearly, sometimes simpler phrasing can be more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively sentimental" in formal or professional writing. It can sound overly critical or dismissive. Opt for more neutral language when discussing emotions in serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively sentimental" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe it as being overly emotional or nostalgic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessively sentimental" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something as being overly emotional or nostalgic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase functions to express critical or evaluative judgment. While its frequency is rare, its use is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether a more direct adjective may be more appropriate, especially in formal writing. Overall, "excessively sentimental" offers a nuanced way to describe an over-reliance on emotions, but care should be taken to ensure it aligns with the intended tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly emotional

Replaces "excessively sentimental" with a more direct description of emotional intensity.

unduly saccharine

Substitutes "sentimental" with "saccharine", emphasizing the cloying sweetness.

mawkishly nostalgic

Replaces "excessively sentimental" by focusing on a sickeningly nostalgic tone.

over-the-top emotional

Uses a more informal and emphatic way to describe excessive emotional display.

effusively affectionate

Focuses on the overt display of affection, changing the overall tone.

exaggeratedly tender

Replaces "sentimental" with "tender", highlighting the exaggeration of emotional softness.

cloyingly sweet

Emphasizes the unpleasant, overwhelming nature of the sweetness.

unrealistically romantic

Shifts the focus to the lack of realism in the romantic sentiment.

lachrymosely dramatic

Conveys excessive sentiment through tearful or dramatic display.

sickeningly saccharine

Uses a stronger word to imply that the sentimentality is unpleasant.

FAQs

How can I use "excessively sentimental" in a sentence?

You can use "excessively sentimental" to describe something that is overly emotional or nostalgic. For example: "The movie was criticized for being "excessively sentimental", relying too much on tear-jerking moments."

What's the difference between "excessively sentimental" and "overly emotional"?

"Excessively sentimental" suggests a focus on nostalgia or idealized feelings, while "overly emotional" /s/overly+emotional simply indicates too much emotion in general. The former is more specific.

What can I say instead of "excessively sentimental"?

You can use alternatives like "overly emotional", "unduly saccharine", or "mawkishly nostalgic" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "excessively sentimental"?

Usually, yes. Describing something as "excessively sentimental" implies that it is relying too much on emotions, often to the point of being unrealistic or cloying. However, in some contexts, it could be used neutrally or even appreciatively if the speaker values sentimentality.