cloying
Sickeningly rich taste
Cloying describes sweetness so excessive it becomes unpleasant or nauseating.
The word applies literally to overly sugary foods and drinks, but more often figuratively to sentimentality, flattery, or affection that feels suffocating: The movie's cloying sentimentality made it hard to watch.
What begins as pleasant curdles into too much.
Exaggeratedly sentimental
- treaclyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- sugaryContaining much sweetener
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- honeyedSweetened or flattering
sickly-sweet · candied · overripe · toothache · sugarcoated · confectionary · glazed · caramelized
Unpleasantly overemotional
- sappyExcessively sentimental
- mushySoft or saccharine
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- cornyTiresomely sentimental or trite
saccharine · overwrought · melodramatic · gushing · sentimental · tearjerker · soppy · cheesy
Excessively and insincerely earnest
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
oily · smarmy · buttery · excessive · insincere · fulsome · groveling · toadying
Having much of something
- heavyOf great mass
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- headyApt to intoxicate
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
thick · concentrated · sickening · nauseating · perfumed · musky · floral · incense
Too intense to withstand
- heavyOf great mass
- suffocatingDepriving of air
- intenseExtreme in degree
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
strong · heady · thick · musky · overwhelming · nauseating · stifling · oppressive
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- suffocatingDepriving of air
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- smotheringDepriving of air
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
overwhelming · incessant · unrelenting · overkill · overdone · heavy-handed · gratuitous · excessive
Causing urge to vomit
- sickeningCausing disgust or nausea
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
- stomach-turningCausing physical disgust
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
queasy · off-putting · distasteful · unpalatable · repellent · bilious · gagging · indigestible
saccharine
Exaggeratedly sentimental
- treaclyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- sugaryContaining much sweetener
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
honeyed · sickly-sweet · candied · overripe · toothache · sugarcoated · confectionary · glazed · caramelized · butterscotch
mawkish
Unpleasantly overemotional
corny · saccharine · overwrought · melodramatic · gushing · sentimental · tearjerker · soppy · cheesy · hallmark
unctuous
Excessively and insincerely earnest
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
ingratiating · oily · smarmy · buttery · excessive · insincere · fulsome · groveling · toadying · servile
rich
Having much of something
overpowering · thick · concentrated · sickening · nauseating · perfumed · musky · floral · incense · fragrant
overpowering
Too intense to withstand
- heavyOf great mass
- suffocatingDepriving of air
- intenseExtreme in degree
pungent · strong · heady · thick · musky · overwhelming · nauseating · stifling · oppressive · excessive
overbearing
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- suffocatingDepriving of air
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
- smotheringDepriving of air
stifling · overwhelming · incessant · unrelenting · overkill · overdone · heavy-handed · gratuitous · excessive · relentless
nauseating
Causing urge to vomit
- sickeningCausing disgust or nausea
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
- stomach-turningCausing physical disgust
revolting · queasy · off-putting · distasteful · unpalatable · repellent · bilious · gagging · indigestible
- smellsmell, scent, odor, reek, aroma
- irritatingannoying, aggravating, bothersome, exasperating, frustrating
- sweet tastessweet, sugary, sweetness, honeyed, syrupy
- excessive sweetnesssaccharine, syrupy, sugary, treacly, honeyed
- flavorssweet, sour, bitter, salty, savory
- sentimentalitymawkish, schmaltzy, saccharine, treacly, mushy
cloyingtart
Sharp-flavored small pie
refreshing · crisp · sour · bracing · dry
cloyingunsentimental
Lacking emotional softness
hard-boiled · cynical · hardheaded · antisentimental · restrained
cloyingsubtle
Not immediately obvious
understated · restrained · refined · elegant · spare