MAUDLIN Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

maudlin

adjective

ˈmȯd-lən

Definition of maudlin

as in sentimental

appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way a maudlin movie about a lovable tramp

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of maudlin But only Kehlani with her un-maudlin yearning could’ve fleshed it out. — Alfred Soto, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026 Conspicuously absent from Cherfilus-McCormick’s maudlin resignation statement was regret for misleading voters, or for leaving them unrepresented again while Congress faces some of the most fraught issues in our history. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026 Good intentions — and handsome animation — aside, Forevergreen is ultimately too maudlin and moralistic to rank it much higher than this. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026 As the whole business dragged on, the atmosphere started to seem less like a game show and more like the late-night Jerry Lewis telethons of the 1970s, in which a tired but pumped Lewis alternately griped at the audience, broke into maudlin emotion, or jumped up to welcome a new guest. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maudlin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maudlin

Adjective

The emotions are real; the sentimental orchestral score by Joseph Trapanese goes overboard.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
At times, Marianne’s second-act emotional breakdown feels siloed from the rest of the picture, but the strands coalesce beautifully in an emotionally overwhelming finale that’s tearjerking, but never manipulative or overly sentimental.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of sentimental

Adjective

The spike in core CPI shows price pressures are broadening into other categories beyond energy, experts noted, a sign inflation remains sticky.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
With inflation remaining sticky, the central bank may need to raise rates higher and keep them there for longer in 2027, said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at Fwdbonds.

— Michelle Fox,Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sticky

Browse Nearby Words

maturity

maudlin

maul

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to maudlin

Cite this Entry

Style

“Maudlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maudlin. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of maudlin

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your...

Thomas Nashe's 8 Kinds of Drunkards

11 Words from the Bible You Didn't Know...

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes