mawkish

adjective

ˈmȯ-kish How to pronounce mawkish (audio)
Definition of mawkishnext
as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way a mawkish plea for donations to the charity

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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 mawkish Knight’s directorial debut never tips over into mawkish but has some unashamedly tender moments. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026 After a mawkish beginning, the play somewhat redeems itself through earned emotions and an ambiguous ending that begs discussion. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 June 2025 Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, jailed and banned frequently, has never allowed his work to get mawkish. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 If that line of reasoning is too mawkish and bleeding-heart for your taste, Worsley makes a more pragmatic argument for a generous, welcoming immigration policy, one unsentimentally rooted in cold dollars and cents. — Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mawkish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mawkish
  1. sentimental
  2. sloppy
  3. sticky
Adjective
  • 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
  • Mariachi is very sentimental, while banda brings the party and total chaos.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sentimental
Adjective
  • Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The pair seemed prepared and methodical—not sloppy carousers but people with a plan.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sloppy
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

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maw
mawkish
mawkishness
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Cite this Entry

“Mawkish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mawkish. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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