schmaltziness
Over-the-top emotion
Schmaltziness is the quality of being excessively sentimental or emotionally indulgent.
The word comes from schmaltz, rendered chicken fat in Yiddish cooking—something rich and heavy.
A movie criticized for its schmaltziness lays on the tearjerking moments too thick: The schmaltziness of the ending ruined an otherwise decent film.
Excessive maudlin sentiment
- maudlinExcessively tearful sentiment
- gushinessExcessive emotional expression
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- weepinessInclination to cry easily
mushiness · corniness · cheesiness · saccharine · tearjerker · heartstrings · cloying · treacly
Excessively theatrical in style
- theatricalityExaggerated, showy manner
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
- histrionicsExaggerated emotional behavior
- staginessExcessive dramatic artifice
dramatics · emoting · grandstanding · showiness · soapiness · bombast · flamboyance · scenery-chewing
Tender sadness for absence
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- yesteryearTime not long past
- sepia-tonedBrownish monochrome, vintage effect
- rose-tintedPinkish or overly optimistic
misty-eyed · longing · yearning · bittersweet · old-fashioned · retro · homesickness · romanticized
sappiness
Excessive maudlin sentiment
- maudlinExcessively tearful sentiment
- gushinessExcessive emotional expression
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
weepiness · mushiness · corniness · cheesiness · saccharine · tearjerker · heartstrings · cloying · treacly · overwrought
hammy
Excessively theatrical in style
- theatricalityExaggerated, showy manner
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
- histrionicsExaggerated emotional behavior
staginess · dramatics · emoting · grandstanding · showiness · soapiness · bombast · flamboyance · scenery-chewing · camp
wistfulness
Tender sadness for absence
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- yesteryearTime not long past
- sepia-tonedBrownish monochrome, vintage effect
rose-tinted · misty-eyed · longing · yearning · bittersweet · old-fashioned · retro · homesickness · romanticized
- sentimentalitymawkish, saccharine, treacly, cloying, mushy
schmaltzinessrestraint
Control over impulses
emotional restraint · understatement · reserve · stoicism · coolness
schmaltzinesssubtlety
Fine distinction, easily missed
sophistication · austerity · minimalism · restraint · elegance
schmaltzinessgenuineness
Quality of being real
authenticity · sincerity · truthfulness · plainspokenness · directness