schmaltziest
Dripping with sentiment
Schmaltziest is the superlative of schmaltzy, meaning the most excessively sentimental or mawkish.
From Yiddish *schmaltz* (rendered chicken fat), the word suggests something so rich with emotion it becomes cloying: That was the schmaltziest wedding speech I've ever heard.
The term often describes music, films, or writing that overdo heartstring-tugging.
Excessively tearful sentiment
- saccharineExaggeratedly sentimental
- treaclyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
weepy · lachrymose · tearjerker · overwrought · gushy · drippy · slushy · gooey
Cheap and insincere
- cornyTiresomely sentimental or trite
- hokeyCheaply sentimental or contrived
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
- tackyVulgar or slightly sticky
schlocky · cornball · clichéd · hackneyed · trite · Hallmark · formulaic · predictable
Excessively emotional or elaborate
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
dramatic · soapy · soap-opera · overacted · hammy · bombastic · overplayed · sensationalized
Longing for the past
- heartwarmingEvoking tender positive feelings
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
- tenderSoft or sore
- wistfulSadly longing for something
poignant · evocative · reminiscent · soulful · melancholic · yearning · affectionate · endearing
maudlin
Excessively tearful sentiment
- saccharineExaggeratedly sentimental
- treaclyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- cloyingExcessively sweet or sentimental
syrupy · weepy · lachrymose · tearjerker · overwrought · gushy · drippy · slushy · gooey · bathetic
cheesy
Cheap and insincere
- cornyTiresomely sentimental or trite
- hokeyCheaply sentimental or contrived
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
tacky · schlocky · cornball · clichéd · hackneyed · trite · Hallmark · formulaic · predictable · stock
overwrought
Excessively emotional or elaborate
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- histrionicExaggeratedly emotional in behavior
exaggerated · dramatic · soapy · soap-opera · overacted · hammy · bombastic · overplayed · sensationalized · emotionalism
nostalgic
Longing for the past
- heartwarmingEvoking tender positive feelings
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
- tenderSoft or sore
wistful · poignant · evocative · reminiscent · soulful · melancholic · yearning · affectionate · endearing · cherished