mawkishly sentimental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mawkishly sentimental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively emotional or overly sentimental, often in a way that feels insincere or exaggerated. Example: "The movie was criticized for being mawkishly sentimental, relying on cheap emotional tricks to tug at the audience's heartstrings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Both are sad beyond measure, and both risk seeming mawkishly sentimental.

The New York Times

On their own, his latest labor-intensive efforts seem mawkishly sentimental.

The New York Times

The effect is devastating because of its directness, but Dutilleux's music is never mawkishly sentimental.

The Guardian - Music

This makes A Spot of Bother at once gruelling, precise and mawkishly sentimental, but it also makes us unsure, as folk stories do, which is the more telling.

The Guardian - Books

What is remarkable about this is the toughness, as well as the delicacy, with which it treats what could easily become a fay, limp, and mawkishly sentimental subject.

The Guardian

He closes a slick, unthreatening set with See You Again, his mawkishly sentimental, boyband-like tribute to the late Fast and Furious actor Paul Walker, which has notched up more than a billion views on YouTube.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

With this abracadabra, good causes, mawkishly treated, make their entry.

The New Yorker

Especially sentimental.

The New York Times

Farther up the beach, I weep mawkishly into a towel.

The Guardian

And is this sentimental?

The Guardian

Investors are less sentimental.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mawkishly sentimental", consider whether a more nuanced term might better convey the specific emotion or intention you wish to critique. Overuse can diminish the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "mawkishly sentimental" to describe genuine expressions of grief or affection. The term implies insincerity or exaggeration, so it is unsuitable for situations where the sentiment is authentic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mawkishly sentimental" functions as an adverb-adjective pair, modifying a noun or subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, the adverb "mawkishly" intensifies the adjective "sentimental", indicating a negative or excessive quality of sentimentality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mawkishly sentimental" is used to describe something excessively and insincerely emotional, often in a way that is considered distasteful. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples show its prevalence in News & Media contexts. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives like "excessively saccharine" or "overly melodramatic" may be more fitting depending on the context. Avoid using it for genuine displays of emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively saccharine

Emphasizes the overly sweet and artificial quality of the sentiment.

overly melodramatic

Highlights the exaggerated and theatrical nature of the emotion.

effusively emotional

Focuses on the unrestrained and outpouring display of sentiment.

sickly sweet

Implies a cloying and unpleasant level of sentimentality.

unctuously saccharine

Highlights both the artificial sweetness and the insincere intention.

cloyingly affectionate

Suggests an excess of fondness that becomes tiresome or irritating.

obnoxiously sentimental

Emphasizes the offensive and irritating nature of the sentimentality.

vapidly romantic

Highlights the shallow and empty nature of the romantic sentiment.

treacly sentimental

Implies a heavy, sticky, and unpleasant sentimentality.

fulsomely flattering

Describes excessive and insincere praise driven by sentiment.

FAQs

What does "mawkishly sentimental" mean?

The phrase "mawkishly sentimental" describes something that is excessively emotional or sentimental in a way that seems insincere or exaggerated. It often implies a cloying or distasteful quality to the sentiment.

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

You can use "mawkishly sentimental" to describe a movie, book, or even a person's behavior that exhibits an excess of insincere emotion. For example, "The film was criticized for being "mawkishly sentimental", relying on cheap emotional tricks."

What are some alternatives to "mawkishly sentimental"?

Alternatives to "mawkishly sentimental" include "excessively saccharine", "overly melodramatic", or "sickly sweet". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "mawkishly sentimental" a positive or negative description?

"Mawkishly sentimental" is generally a negative description. It suggests that something is excessively and insincerely emotional, often to the point of being distasteful.