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
Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device).
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The sole respite from the cloying ooze was the strawberries, which tasted wholesome by comparison.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Adjective
Mocha landed on the more cloying end and the Salted Caramel much more reminiscent of asking your barista to add just one or two flavor shots.
—Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025
His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device).
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
The cloying missive goes on to explain that Google didn't really want to ban all those accounts, but Biden administration officials just kept asking.
—Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
The sole respite from the cloying ooze was the strawberries, which tasted wholesome by comparison.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cloying
Adjective
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The brand and its Massachusetts origins are inextricable—the matte white bags are sentimental fixtures of the state and New England at large.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Feb. 2026
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For an extra sentimental touch, try making pieces for each other and swapping them once they’re finished.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Be sure to add milk mixture slowly and gradually to avoid over-saturating the cake.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
1 Feb. 2026
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Even beyond the runtimes, there’s a strange, extratemporal feeling saturating this project.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Inspect them for rust and any sticky residue which can be wiped away with WD-40 (which also help keep the hinges lubricated).—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
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And inflation, while still sticky, has remained stable in recent months.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ninety-three miles of new highway lanes are planned for our freeways, with the goal of alleviating congestion.—
Chris Roberts,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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The greenhouse aims to educate youth and adults about the benefits of gardening, while also alleviating food insecurity in the city.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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At times, Epstein characterized the billionaire’s office as sloppy and amateurish, exposing him to taxes and reputational risks while making sensitive payments.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Heat also ran into its own sloppy play, committing 19 turnovers.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More and more, large language models are relieving people of the burden of reading and writing, in school and at work but also in group chats and email exchanges with friends.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
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The medications, aimed at relieving the fluid in his chest, weren't cutting it due to the advanced stage of his condition.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This nail look deviates from the classic saccharine pinks associated with Valentine's Day and uses a cool-toned berry shade.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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Channel childhood nostalgia with this 100% cotton bed skirt, featuring a rosy stripe that’s sweet but not saccharine.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cloying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cloying. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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