maudlin
Weepy and excessive
Maudlin describes excessive, tearful sentimentality—the kind of emotion that seems overblown or self-indulgent.
The word often applies to drunken weepiness: He got maudlin after his fourth whiskey and started calling old girlfriends.
Maudlin art or writing wallows in emotion without earning it.
The connotation is always negative—genuine feeling isn't maudlin; performative or sloppy feeling is.
Excessively and insincerely sentimental
- sappyExcessively sentimental
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
- mushySoft or saccharine
gushy · corny · cheesy · saccharine · slushy · sugary · gooey · touchy-feely
Excessively emotional or elaborate
- melodramaticExaggeratedly emotional in expression
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- effusiveUnrestrainedly emotional in expression
exaggerated · histrionic · overdone · over-the-top · hyperbolic · self-pitying · wallowing · indulgent
Prone to crying
- weepyInclined to cry
- misty-eyedEyes moist with emotion
- dewy-eyedNaively sentimental or trusting
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
melancholic · wistful · tender · softhearted · mournful · plaintive · pensive · soulful
Mildly intoxicated
- inebriatedIntoxicated by alcohol
- intoxicatedAffected by alcohol
- boozyAffected by drink
- soddenSaturated with liquid
Tending to recall
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- homesickLonging for one's dwelling
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- rose-coloredPinkish or overly hopeful
sepia-toned · backward-looking · pining · bittersweet · halcyon · bygone · romanticized · wistful
schmaltzy
Excessively and insincerely sentimental
- sappyExcessively sentimental
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
mushy · gushy · corny · cheesy · saccharine · slushy · sugary · gooey · touchy-feely · treacly
overwrought
Excessively emotional or elaborate
- melodramaticExaggeratedly emotional in expression
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
effusive · exaggerated · histrionic · overdone · over-the-top · hyperbolic · self-pitying · wallowing · indulgent · dramatic
lachrymose
Prone to crying
- weepyInclined to cry
- misty-eyedEyes moist with emotion
- dewy-eyedNaively sentimental or trusting
emotional · melancholic · wistful · tender · softhearted · mournful · plaintive · pensive · soulful · heartfelt
tipsy
Mildly intoxicated
- inebriatedIntoxicated by alcohol
- intoxicatedAffected by alcohol
- boozyAffected by drink
reminiscent
Tending to recall
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- homesickLonging for one's dwelling
- longingIntense, persistent desire
rose-colored · sepia-toned · backward-looking · pining · bittersweet · halcyon · bygone · romanticized · wistful · rueful
- emotionaldramatic, hysterical, weepy, melodramatic, histrionic
- melodramatichistrionic, theatrical, overwrought, exaggerated, dramatic
maudlinstoic
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
unemotional · undemonstrative · reserved · impassive · composed
maudlinunsentimental
Lacking emotional softness
hard-boiled · cynical · matter-of-fact · unromantic · dry
maudlinsober
Free from intoxication
clearheaded · clear-headed · lucid · level-headed · sensible