maudlin

USAGE SUMMARY

"maudlin" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means overly sentimental or mawkish, so it is used to describe emotional or sentimental displays or responses. Example sentence: She gave an overly maudlin speech about her deceased grandfather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

British winner The Phone Call is a maudlin, actorly exercise that does at least showcase typically astute, empathic emoting by Sally Hawkins.

The Guardian - Film

Sometimes confident, sometimes wary, sometimes maudlin and resigned, she actually has good reason to fear the Felsteads.

The Guardian

Interpretations of what this actually means will vary, but it is certainly more maudlin – schmaltzy even – than it is funny.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Daily Telegraph's Robbie Collin was one of the hardy few to report from the multiplex frontline, describing its plot as "a maudlin and sentimental grind", and observing of one ethnically stereotyped scene: "This isn't funny.

The Guardian - Film

Until recently the two clear frontrunners in the race to replace Mr Miliband were Andy Burnham, the maudlin tribune of the party's soft left, and Yvette Cooper, a machine politician and the most experienced of the crowd.

The Economist

Where many would be put off by a more brazenly maudlin tear-jerker, the line this film walks is just on the right side of sentimental".Wild" is in British cinemas from January 16th.

The Economist

After all, several of the other stricken leaders have friendly relations with the United States and the health scares have thus far increased the popularity of both Mr Chávez and Ms Fernández: Latin American politics has featured a maudlin streak ever since the early death (yes, from cancer) of Eva Perón.

The Economist

Subtle as a sledgehammer, these maudlin musings set to tunes leave no musical or lyrical clichés untouched or any irony unexplained in their appeal to what Larry the Cable Guy, a redneck comic, calls country music's "patriotic fan base".

The Economist

Along the way, he makes judicious use of political events, large and small, to show what happens to men who get close to the centre of power, be they senators, murky intelligence agents or small-time hoods.There are illuminating encounters with Nixon at times depressed, maudlin and self-involved and with J. Edgar Hoover who, unlike Nixon, knowself-involved andint across fast.

The Economist

ANYONE interested in Bosnia and Hercegovina will soon be treated to a deluge of maudlin "I was there," stories by a gaggle of journalists who covered the war and are reassembling in Sarajevo to mark the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the siege of the Bosnian capital.

The Economist

There, 79% thought their children would be worse off, which the highest proportion in any country surveyed apart from maudlin France (86%).In Vietnam, by contrast, 94% expect their children to be wealthier; in China the proportion is 89%, in Bangladesh 71%, India 67% and Indonesia 62%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maudlin" to describe displays of sentimentality that are excessive or insincere, especially when someone is trying to evoke pity or sympathy.

Common error

Avoid using "maudlin" to describe sincere expressions of grief or sadness. The word carries a connotation of insincerity or exaggeration, so it's unsuitable for portraying authentic emotions.

Linguistic Context

The word "maudlin" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something or someone displaying excessive or insincere sentimentality. Ludwig highlights its usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a descriptive adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Maudlin" is a commonly used adjective that describes something excessively sentimental or tearful. As Ludwig highlights, its use carries a negative connotation, suggesting insincerity or exaggeration in emotional displays. It functions primarily to criticize or negatively evaluate such displays, with a neutral register making it suitable for analytical contexts. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its prevalence in news and media, science, and formal business settings, making it a valuable term for conveying nuanced critiques of emotional expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly sentimental

Focuses on the excess of sentiment, similar to "maudlin" but without the implication of tearfulness.

excessively emotional

Highlights the extreme nature of emotions, akin to "maudlin" in its intensity.

mawkishly sentimental

Emphasizes the sickly sweet and often insincere nature of the sentiment, closely related to "maudlin".

effusively tearful

Specifically denotes tearful expression, which is a common characteristic of "maudlin" displays.

lachrymose

Directly indicates tearfulness or a tendency to weep, a key element of "maudlin" behavior.

self-pitying

Highlights the self-centeredness of the emotional display, a possible aspect of "maudlin" sentimentality.

mushy

Conveys a softer, more affectionate sentimentality, a less intense form of "maudlin".

drippy

Informal term for excessive sentimentality, similar in tone to "maudlin" but less formal.

schmaltzy

Describes a thick or excessive sentimentality, frequently used in the context of art or music.

kitschy

Indicates something that is in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality but appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

FAQs

How can I use "maudlin" in a sentence?

You can use "maudlin" to describe someone who is excessively sentimental or tearful, especially in a self-pitying way. For example, "His "maudlin apology" didn't convince anyone.".

What's the difference between "maudlin" and sentimental?

"Maudlin" implies an excessive and often insincere display of sentimentality, often fueled by alcohol or self-pity. Sentimental, on the other hand, simply means having or expressing tender feelings of affection or nostalgia and does not necessarily suggest insincerity.

What are some synonyms for "maudlin"?

Some synonyms for "maudlin" include "overly sentimental", "excessively emotional", "mawkishly sentimental", and "effusively tearful".

Is it appropriate to describe a movie as "maudlin"?

Yes, describing a movie as "maudlin" suggests that it relies too heavily on sentimentality and tear-jerking scenes, often in a way that feels forced or manipulative. This implies the movie is trying too hard to elicit emotion from the audience.