noun

sentimentality

sentimentality, emotionalism

The film was full of cheap sentimentality.

The film was full of cheap sentimentality.

sentimentality the quality of being sentimental He dislikes sentimentality in music.

Synonyms: emotionalism, mawkishness; Antonyms: cynicism, pragmatism

From 'sentimental' + '-ity'. 'Sentimental' comes from 'sentiment', from Latin 'sentire' (to feel). The '-ity' suffix forms a noun indicating a state or quality.

Think of 'sentiment' (feeling) + '-ality' (the quality of). It's the quality of being overly full of feeling, often in a cheesy way.

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