as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
the cloying sentiments of so many Mother's Day cards
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cloying
Amelia Dhuga,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
And also very joyous without being sentimental or cloying.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
But Kore-eda is more interested in a smiley-happy outcome of mutual accord, which is pushed into sentimental overdrive by increasingly cloying slatherings of Bandoh’s score.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
For the floral fans among us who don’t actually love the smell of roses and tulips (hi, that’s me), Cowgirl Grass offers a refreshing, slightly sweet alternative to cloying flowery scents.
—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
Only at the start of April do these flowers begin to unfurl in delicate clusters, their petals heavy with dew and a sweet, cloying scent.
—
Amelia Dhuga,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
And also very joyous without being sentimental or cloying.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
But Kore-eda is more interested in a smiley-happy outcome of mutual accord, which is pushed into sentimental overdrive by increasingly cloying slatherings of Bandoh’s score.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
For the floral fans among us who don’t actually love the smell of roses and tulips (hi, that’s me), Cowgirl Grass offers a refreshing, slightly sweet alternative to cloying flowery scents.
—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
-
At its deepest level, this work is fueled by unconditional love—not sentimental or passive love but love as discipline, courage and commitment.
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The Freakier Friday star also reflected on turning 40 in a sentimental Instagram post.
Verb
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Follow by saturating the area with a pet-specific enzymatic cleaner.
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However, strawberries are also susceptible to root rot, so make sure to avoid over-saturating the soil.
Adjective
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Through the risk of lightning, sticky humidity and a winding line filled with thousands of chanting fans, Argentine fans flooded Bayfront Park with a sea of blue jerseys.
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Smoke uncovered for an additional 30–45 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize into a sticky, lacquered finish.
Verb
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The owner and lessee will bear the responsibility of clearing the debris and alleviating some of the effects of the fire and its aftermath, Moore said, including looking for ways to mitigate debris flowing out of the warehouse, and the smell emitted by the rotting food.
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So, resources like financial planning, credit building and debt management assistance can potentially unlock additional productivity by alleviating employee financial stress.
Adjective
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England looked disjointed and sloppy for much of the first half, while Congo was bright and creative with the ball and held England at bay defensively.
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The regulars were middle-aged men who routinely drank five or six cocktails after work and were only rarely sloppy.
Verb
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Malik Tillman was the hero, relieving the pressure of a 1-0 goal lead with just 10 men on the field with his brilliant free kick.
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Healthcare economists say giving people access to preventive healthcare saves taxpayers money in the long run by keeping the workforce healthy and relieving pressure on an overburdened system.
Adjective
-
Overdo it, and your recipe becomes too saccharine.
-
With a minimal, yet still impactful, pastel floral design, the rug hedges its saccharine design with ample negative space.
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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