tacky sentiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tacky sentiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an expression or feeling that is considered overly sentimental or in poor taste. Example: "The movie was filled with tacky sentiment that made it hard to take the story seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An erasure of the individual lives of those struggling with Britain's housing crisis, and a thoughtless reduction of our messy urban histories to cheap, tacky sentiment, designed to satisfy outsiders, and imposed from above.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On Twitter, immediate reactions to news of Hoffman's diaries included such sentiments as "Pretty tacky that anon police are offering news orgs Philip Seymour Hoffman's diary.

Los Angeles Times

How tacky.

The New York Times

("Tacky. Tasteless").

The Guardian

Tacky fun.

Independent

And his bus-shelter ads were "tacky, tacky, tacky".

The New York Times

"It's terribly tacky".

Independent

It's just tacky.

The New York Times

In a word: tacky.

The New York Times

It's tacky".

The New Yorker

Only slightly more tacky.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tacky sentiment" when you want to critique an expression of feeling that is both overly emotional and in poor taste. It's stronger than simply calling something 'sentimental'.

Common error

Avoid using "tacky sentiment" in formal or academic writing, as it carries a strong negative connotation and may sound overly judgmental. Opt for more neutral terms like 'excessive sentimentality' or 'inappropriate emotional display'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tacky sentiment" functions as a descriptive term, where 'tacky' modifies 'sentiment'. It describes the nature of the sentiment being expressed. Ludwig examples show its use in critical contexts. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tacky sentiment" is a phrase used to describe expressions of feeling that are considered both overly sentimental and in poor taste. While grammatically correct, as per Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare and primarily found in News & Media contexts. The phrase serves to express disapproval of emotional displays perceived as insincere or manipulative. When writing, it's best to reserve "tacky sentiment" for situations where you want to convey a critical judgment of the sentiment being expressed, and to avoid it in formal or academic contexts where a more neutral tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cheap emotion

Replaces 'sentiment' with a more direct term for feeling, highlighting the lack of genuine depth.

corny sentimentality

Emphasizes the outdated and predictable nature of the feeling.

cheesy emotion

Similar to 'corny', but with a slightly more modern and dismissive tone.

maudlin feeling

Focuses on the excessively tearful or self-pitying aspect of the sentiment.

overdone emotion

Highlights the excessive and artificial quality of the sentiment.

excessive sentimentality

Directly points out the over-the-top nature of the displayed emotion.

artificial feeling

Stresses the insincerity and lack of authenticity in the expressed sentiment.

contrived emotion

Indicates that the sentiment has been deliberately created rather than genuinely felt.

insincere emotion

Directly addresses the lack of genuine feeling behind the sentiment.

forced sentiment

Implies that the sentiment is being presented unwillingly or unnaturally.

FAQs

How can I use "tacky sentiment" in a sentence?

You can use "tacky sentiment" to describe something that is excessively emotional and in poor taste. For example: "The movie was filled with "tacky sentiment" that made it hard to take the story seriously."

What does "tacky sentiment" imply?

The phrase "tacky sentiment" suggests that the expressed feeling is not only excessive but also lacks sincerity and good judgment. It often implies that the sentiment is displayed for effect rather than being genuinely felt.

What can I say instead of "tacky sentiment"?

You can use alternatives like "cheap emotion", "corny sentimentality", or "cheesy emotion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tacky sentiment" formal or informal?

"Tacky sentiment" leans towards the informal side due to its judgmental tone. In more formal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "excessive sentimentality" or "inappropriate emotional display".