as in sentimental
appealing to the emotions in an obvious and tiresome way
a maudlin movie about a lovable tramp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maudlin
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.
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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
While such a scenario sounds potentially maudlin and manipulative, Lucero — who wrote the film from a personal place — never allows that to happen by making the characters complex and flawed, and laboring under real-life issues.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maudlin
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
While such a scenario sounds potentially maudlin and manipulative, Lucero — who wrote the film from a personal place — never allows that to happen by making the characters complex and flawed, and laboring under real-life issues.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maudlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maudlin
Adjective
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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.
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.
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.
Cite this Entry
“Maudlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maudlin. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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