sob sister
Sentimental newspaper writer
A sob sister is a journalist, especially a woman, who writes sentimental human-interest stories designed to evoke sympathy or tears.
The term dates from early twentieth-century newspapers and often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting the writing prioritizes emotional manipulation over serious reporting: The editor assigned the tragedy to one of the paper's sob sisters.
By extension, sob sister can describe anyone prone to excessive sympathy or sentimentality.
One who gathers news
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- human interestEmotional content in reporting
- feature writerJournalist penning detailed articles
- advice columnistWriter who answers readers' troubles
agony aunt · profile · interview · newsroom · byline · newspaper · magazine · press
Emotionally manipulative entertainment
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
- maudlinExcessively tearful sentiment
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- heartrendingCausing overwhelming grief
weepy · pathos · sentimentality · overwrought · melodrama · sympathy · pity · heartstrings
Showing concern for sufferers
- sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
- consolingGiving solace to another
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- caringShowing kind concern
supportive · tender · warmhearted · humane · solicitous · comforting · listener · confidante
Journalist exposing corruption
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
- gossipmongerHabitual spreader of rumors
- scandalmongerSpreader of shameful rumors
- rumormongerOne who spreads unverified talk
alarmist · scaremonger · bleeding heart · do-gooder · paparazzo · hack
reporter
One who gathers news
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- human interestEmotional content in reporting
- feature writerJournalist penning detailed articles
advice columnist · agony aunt · profile · interview · newsroom · byline · newspaper · magazine · press · media
tearjerker
Emotionally manipulative entertainment
- emotionalShowing strong feelings
- maudlinExcessively tearful sentiment
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
heartrending · weepy · pathos · sentimentality · overwrought · melodrama · sympathy · pity · heartstrings · lachrymose
compassionate
Showing concern for sufferers
- sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
- consolingGiving solace to another
- understandingMental comprehension of something
caring · supportive · tender · warmhearted · humane · solicitous · comforting · listener · confidante · shoulder to cry on
muckraker
Journalist exposing corruption
- sensationalistOne who inflames reactions
- gossipmongerHabitual spreader of rumors
- scandalmongerSpreader of shameful rumors
rumormonger · alarmist · scaremonger · bleeding heart · do-gooder · paparazzo · hack
- newspaper worldcolumnists, front page, byline, newsprint, broadsheet
sob sisterinvestigative journalist
Reporter uncovering hidden truths
muckraker · beat reporter · fact-checker · data journalist · news analyst